Sunderland have signed Marc McNulty on loan from Reading.
Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom has admitted he is disappointed at missing out on a deal for Marc McNulty after the Reading striker joined Sunderland on a season-long loan, the Chronicle reports.
“I am disappointed but I sort of knew. I was never going to say we had no chance because we wanted him. He was certainly open to coming back but it was always going to be tough,” Heckingbottom said of McNulty.
“I would expect them to be up there challenging next year in League One and then looking longer term at Sunderland in the Championship… they are a big club.”
The striker, however, struggled to get going at the Madejski Stadium and he was made available for transfer when Jose Gomes took charge midway through the season.
McNulty signed for Hibs on loan, scoring seven league goals in 15 games, and his form prompted Hibs manager Heckingbottom to try to re-sign him for the Scottish club this summer.
Reading, however, reportedly wanted to recoup the fee for him and instead they have allowed him to join Sunderland on loan for the season – a deal which could be great for all parties involved.
McNulty will be given chances to rediscover his top form for the Black Cats, while a successful season in League One could see Sunderland earn promotion and Reading fetch a greater fee for him in the future.
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