Hibs target January swoop for ex-Motherwell stars Chris Cadden and Mark Gillespie

The former Motherwell defender Chris Cadden looks set to join Hibs in the coming days with goalkeeper Mark Gillespie soon to follow, as manager Jack Ross plans to bolster the squad.

MLS champions Columbus Crew are set to release Cadden to Hibs after the defender failed to secure a regular first team place.

Oxford United, who Cadden spent a season on loan with, looked to resign the defender after impressing down south. However, the Easter Road outfit look set to beat Oxford in landing Cadden's signature, the Daily Record Sport revealed.

Motherwell are still yet to receive a compensation fee from Columbus Crew after Cadden controversially signed for the MLS side before being immediately loaned out to Oxford United. An issue Cadden admitted was "out of his control" while speaking to the DW podcast.

"I had already made up my mind, it wasn't Columbus' fault, it wasn't Motherwell's fault, it wasn't my fault."

"I didn't want to leave Motherwell like that. I remember getting tagged in tweets getting called a 'rat'. It upset me and that's not the way I wanted to leave. I know I didn't do anything wrong."

Cadden could line up against his former side next month as the pair meet at Easter Road.

Former Well stopper Mark Gillespie has also been linked with a move to Easter road after failing to cement a place at Newcastle.

The lifelong magpie was reunited with his former Newcastle coaches at the end of the 2019/20 campaign after leaving the club as a 16-year-old. In his final season with the steelmen, Gillespie racked up the most clean sheets outside of the Old Firm with eleven, only three shy of both Allan Mcgregor and Fraser Forster.

It is being speculated that the deal will be a loan until the end of the season, with Gillespie keen on a return to first-team football.

Hibs are in dire need of another goalkeeper after Dillon Barnes was recalled by Queens Park Rangers.

Hibs boss Jack Ross stated: "“Dillon goes with our best wishes and I’d like to thank him for his contribution."

“He’s been a well-liked member of the group, whose attitude has been first class. He has performed well when he’s had the opportunity to play – especially in our recent game at Ibrox when Ofir Marciano missed out through injury."

Dillon said: “I’ve loved every minute of my time at Hibs. It’s been a great experience all-round. I’ve learned a lot that I’ll take with me. I hope the boys have a great second half of the season."

Having earned more clean sheets than Ofir Marciano in the 2019/20 campaign, Gillespie will be strong competition for the no.1 spot this season.