Livingston head coach David Hopkin admits he plans to help Sam Stanton get his career back on track after signing the Hibs playmaker on a six-month loan deal.
Stanton is set to be handed an immediate debut in today’s Scottish Cup fourth round visit of Morton in what would be his first game for three months having only made six appearances for the Leith side so far this season.
Stanton has struggled to fulfil his potential after being described by then manager Terry Butcher as ‘a player with an incredibly bright future’ when the midfielder signed a new four-year deal in April 2014.
But Hopkin, who also snapped up experienced midfielder Mark Fotheringham on Thursday and has been linked with a loan move for Rangers midfielder Tom Walsh, hopes the 21-year-old uses the switch as a launchpad to regular football at Hibs.
Hopkin said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get Sam in.
“He was in training with us on Friday and you can see he is a very cultured player, a great player.
“Hopefully he does well and we can help him get his career back on track.
“Hibs have got a lot of good midfielders and it would be hard for any player to break into that team but hopefully he can get back playing and enjoying his football with us.
“It’s been a very busy last 24 hours trying to make things happen and I’m delighted to have signed both Mark and Sam.
“With Hugo Faria leaving because he wanted to go back to Portugal, it was important we got more options in midfield and it was great to get Mark in as well.”
