HIBERNIAN head coach Jack Ross admits he is hoping that St Mirren fullback Paul McGinn will be one of at least two new signings before the transfer window closes on Friday.

Negotiations aimed at bringing McGinn, older brother of former Hibernian favourite and Scotland international John, look set to reach a successful conclusion in the next 24 hours.

Ross worked with the player as assistant manager at Dumbarton and later signed the 29-year-old on a precontract during his time as St Mirren manager before heading for Sunderland.

With centre-half Ryan Porteous out for several months and right-back Jason Naismith’s season over – both with knee injuries – Ross insists McGinn’s versatility at the back makes the 29-year-old an attractive option.

Ross, whose side host Dundee United in this evening’s Scottish Cup fourth round replay, said: “We’re hopeful we will be able to bring him to the club over the next couple of days.

“We’re in the process of hopefully agreeing something.

“It won’t be a loan, we’re looking to bring him to the club now and to be with us for longer than that.

“The injuries to Ryan and Jason meant we did need to bring one defender in, and ideally one that is versatile and can play more than one defensive position.

“Paul fits that bracket. It’s always a big headache to lose two first-team defenders –this gives us competition for places again.”

Given the high esteem in which John McGinn is held at Easter Road, with the midfielder having won both the Scottish Cup and Championship during his hugely successful threeyears in Leith before moving to Aston Villa in summer 2018 for £2million, Ross believes there will be no issues in the supporters taking to his sibling.

Ross added: “I think that goes without saying after how popular John was here. But I don’t want to say too much because he is still a St Mirren player at the moment.”

Ross admits he hopes’ McGinn’s imminent arrival will not be the only new face at Hibs this week.

He added: “We need a couple in. That’s obvious from Saturday when we were low in numbers again.

“I would expect at least two more in, maybe more – including Paul.

“I’ve spoken through the window about having another attacking option, maybe a different type to what we have at the moment so we’re working on that.”

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