PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM has confirmed that several clubs are keen to snap up Oli Shaw on loan after the highly-rated striker was linked with a switch to St Johnstone.
However, the Hibernian head coach is adamant the Scotland under-21 international is going nowhere unless the capital club bring in a suitable replacement before the transfer window closes.
Heckingbottom revealed that Shaw is keen to leave Easter Road on a temporary basis, having fallen behind Flo Kamberi and £350,000 summer signing Christian Doidge in the pecking order.
Shaw, who has scored 12 goals for Hibs since breaking into the first-team in 2017, made three appearances in the Betfred Cup group phase but is yet to feature in the Premiership this term and is growing increasingly frustrated.
Tommy Wright is understood to be keen to take him to Perth, while Hamilton have been credited with an interest in the player in the past.
Heckingbottom said: “There are clubs who will take Oli, we know that. But we’re not letting him go unless we get someone in. That won’t change.
“One thing we can’t do is weaken our options.
“There’s interest from the Premiership and Championship but it’s nothing we can pursue right now. Oli knows the situation so we’ll wait and see. Oli is a good lad but he’s frustrated and wants to play.”
And Heckingbottom, who categorically denied any interest in bringing former Hibs attacker Jason Cummings back to the club, has made it clear he would rather see Shaw knuckle down and battle for a place at Easter Road.
Heckingbottom continued: “We’ve told him what he needs to do here and provided him with an opportunity. I feel we’ve recruited in a way where we’ve not put anything in his path to get in the team. We want him here.
“I want him to stay here, fight and get in the team. Score goals and work hard and you get in the team!
“Oli is 21 now. When you are 18 or 19, people say ‘he looks a good young player’. All of a sudden, you are 21 and you are judged differently, whether by fans or staff. Expectations are different. It’s about getting him to that next level and we have provided him with every opportunity.
“We are clear in what we want from him and what will get him in the team. That’s not changed – it’s Oli who wants to go.”
