BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
ANDREW Shinnie is expected in Edinburgh today (Wednesday) to finalise his move to Hibernian.
The former Inverness Caley Thistle player has agreed to join the Easter Road side on loan from Birmingham City and is due to travel north of the border to complete a season-long switch.
The Scotland cap has been targeted by Hibs head coach Neil Lennon as he seeks to beef up his attacking options for the bid to win promotion back to the Premiership.
Lennon anticipated a deal would be completed ‘this week’ after revealing his interest in the 27-year-old at the weekend.
And, after City counterpart Gary Rowett confessed the move was ‘virtually agreed’, it is understood Shinnie is expected to meet with Hibs today to complete negotiations and have a medical.
A source said: “I would anticipate Andrew coming up in the middle of the week to get things finalised.”
Meanwhile, Lennon has admitted he fears his attempts to seal a return to Hibs for Celtic midfielder Liam Henderson are doomed to failure.
The 20-year-old was a massive hit with the Easter Road fans during his season-loan loan last term and played a key role in May’s historic Scottish Cup triumph over Rangers.
The Scotland under-21 internationalist delivered pinpoint corners to set up Anthony Stokes for Hibs’ late equaliser and for David Gray to nod in their dramatic late winner.
Lennon has not hidden his desire to land Henderson for another spell in the capital but is increasingly losing hope of a deal being done.
Doubt
Henderson was given a chance to impress new Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers when he made a late substitute’s appearance in last Wednesday’s 5-0 victory over Motherwell in the Betfred Cup.
And the youngster played from the start as the Hoops fielded an under-strength line-up in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup encounter in Limerick.
Lennon has confessed another loan deal is looking unlikely and admits Hibs would not be able to complete a permanent move for the player.
Asked if he expected to recruit Henderson, Lennon told the BBC: “I would doubt that very much.
“Brendan has him in his squad and he’s Celtic’s player, so I think Brendan would like the opportunity to work with him.
“And I think if Liam were to leave I don’t think the kid wants to go out on loan any more.
“If he’s going to go, he’s going to go on a permanent (deal) and I can understand that as well.
“We’re probably not in a position to do that at the moment.”
