ROKER ROUNDUP: Hibs Chief Executive discusses the future of heavily linked Sunderland targets

Chief Executive talks Sunderland targets

Jack Ross has been linked with a move for Hibernian’s midfield pair John McGinn and Dylan McGeouch. McGinn has been linked with a £3m switch, while McGeouch is available on a free transfer with his contract at Easter Road expiring at the end of the month.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Hibs’ Chief Executive Leeane Dempster has admitted that although both players may leave the SPL side this summer, she is more optimistic about keeping McGinn:

John’s value is in the team. If John doesn’t go in the transfer window this season, I won’t be disappointed. Neil won’t be disappointed, the supporters won’t be disappointed. We don’t live and die by transfer fees.

If we were to receive a transfer fee for a player of some significance, of course that would be welcome. That is balanced by the impact it would have on the team.

John’s a magnificent young player. I would be very surprised if we’re not tested by a number of clubs.

We’d still love Dylan to be back at Hibernian and we have tried quite hard to make that happen. There’s certainly a chance of it.

Equally I think we need to be realistic and know that Dylan’s got many suitors - as I understand it, in Scotland and in England.

He will make the decision that’s right for him at this point in his career.

SPL winger linked

Jack Ross has also been linked with a move for Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones. According to the Daily Mail, Sunderland are showing a ‘keen interest’ in the 23-year-old who ‘could’ be available for around £600,000 due to the player only have one year left on his contract and so far refusing the offer of a new deal.

The Northern Ireland international started his career at Middlesbrough but failed to make an appearance for the Teesiders, and joined Kilmarnock in 2016 after loan spells at Hartlepool and Cambridge United.

Norwich and Nottingham Forest have been mentioned as possible rivals for his signature, and Rangers had a bid of £350,000 rejected back in the January transfer window.

Scottish goalkeeper linked

Sticking North of the border, we’ve been linked with a move for one-time Scottish international goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

The Scottish Sun reports that Grennock Morton were hoping to sign the free agent after his release from Hibernian but now face competition from Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday and Partick Thistle.

The 30-year-old spent last season as understudy at both Hibernian and Kilmarnock but was a regular in the previous campaign for Dundee United in the Scottish Championship, where he made headlines after saving three penalties in one game.

Naylor admits Sunderland interest

Reported Sunderland target Tom Naylor left Burton Albion this week to sign for League One rivals Portsmouth on a three-year-deal.

Speaking after completing the move, Naylor confirmed that Sunderland had been interested in his services but that our advances never went past a discussion with his representative:

There was speculation about my future. I think there was a bit of interest from them and they spoke to my agent, but there was nothing concrete.

Naylor went on to explain his reasoning for signing for Portsmouth, calling the South Coast club the ‘biggest club in the league’:

I can’t wait to get started. I had a few clubs in the Championship interested, but it didn’t feel like I was going to progress there. I’m a footballer, though, and I want to play football. I wasn’t sure if I was going to play the amount of games I wanted.

But League One doesn’t bother me at all. It’s a hard league and Portsmouth are the biggest club in the league. When Portsmouth come calling you don’t say no.

Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Former player hits milestone

Former Sunderland midfielder Seb Larsson became only the 11th Swedish player in history to achieve the 100 cap mark for his country.

Larsson started yesterday’s 0-0 draw with Peru in Gothenburg and was chosen as captain for his big occasion. Accompanied on the pitch by his two daughters, Larsson received an ovation from the crowd before kick off but was unable to inspire his side to victory in their World Cup warm-up match.