Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SportHibsNeil Lennon confirms Hibs have verbally offered new three-year deal to 'one...

Neil Lennon confirms Hibs have verbally offered new three-year deal to ‘one of the best midfielders in the country’ Dylan McGeouch

BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport

NEIL LENNON believes Dylan McGeouch ‘owes’ it to Hibernian to sign a new contract after insisting the classy playmaker has blossomed into one of the best midfielders in Scotland during his time at Easter Road.

McGeouch’s current deal expires this summer and Lennon has revealed that the club have verbally offered the 24-year-old an extension until 2021.

The former Celtic kid is weighing up his options after dazzling for the Hibees this term, shaking off the injury issues which plagued his early career to enjoy comfortably his most consistent, eye-catching campaign.

While interest is inevitable, Lennon has no doubt that Leith is the best place for him.

“The offer is verbally there,” he confirmed. “The ball is firmly in Dylan’s court and he is taking a bit of time to think about things – I’ll be pushing him a little more as the weeks go on.

“It’s something we will look to pursue very quickly. It is very high up on our list of priorities. It’s his prerogative [to think things over] and he hasn’t said no.

“I believe Hibs is the best club for him. He is blossoming and we are seeing him mature into one of the best midfielders in the country. But we find ourselves in a dangerous position. He is in a position where he can go, but I think he owes a bit to the club as well.”

Lennon is taking great joy in seeing the growth in McGeouch, having been the manager at Celtic who jumped through hoops to spirit him away from Rangers as a boy before handing him a senior debut in November 2011.

“He is realising the potential I saw in him as a kid,” lauded Lenny. “I would like more goals from him because he has got that in his game. Aside from that, his all-round game is superb: his fitness levels, his reading of the game, his passing, his drive and robustness.”

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