The Edinburgh club allowed Anthony Stokes and Simon Murray to depart, bringing in Swiss youngster Florian Kamberi.
Neil Lennon’s striker gamble appears to have paid off following a stunning debut from new arrival Florian Kamberi.
Yesterday it was confirmed that both Hibernian’s top scorers would be departing the club. Anthony Stokes, who bagged 11 goals for Hibs this season (seven in the league), left by mutual consent after his contract was terminated.
While Simon Murray, who has netted 14 goals for the Easter Road club this season, was allowed to leave for Dundee on loan.
Lennon’s side have done well since their return to Scotland’s top flight, sitting fourth as things stand, eight points behind second-placed Aberdeen.
However, allowing your two top scorers, who have bagged 25 goals between them, to leave in January is a massive gamble for any side, even with reinforcements brought in.
Kamberi, 22, signed for Hibs yesterday morning after impressing Lennon on a two-week trial.
The Swiss under-21 international had bagged three goals in 38 appearances for Grasshopper Club Zurich in the Swiss Super League and did not exactly arrive with the world’s greatest scoring record. However, a stunning debut performance will have put worried Hibs minds to rest.
Kamberi opened his account for Hibs with a wonderfully taken 28th-minute strike, sending his side into the lead. The 22-year-old came close on several occasions and looked hopeful of bagging another as Hibs finished eventual 2-1 winners over Motherwell.
Lennon will be hoping for much of the same as he pushes the squad’s new arrivals to step up and lead the line at Easter Road.
Should Kamberi continue with the way he started, Hibs fans will only be able to praise Lennon for his significant deadline day gamble.
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