Aiden McGeady close to Hibs transfer as Easter Road club confident Lee Johnson has got his man

Veteran winger is expected to team up with Johnson again in Leith.

Hibs are confident they’ve won the race to sign Aiden McGeady - and the winger could even be on board for their pre-season camp in Portugal at the end of the month.

Record Sport understands the former Celtic and Ireland star is close to agreeing a move to Easter Road after his release from Sunderland.

New boss Lee Johnson is desperate to link-up again with the 36-year-old who he reckons can provide the magic to unlock defences in the final third.

While McGeady could become the latest signing soon, goalkeeper Matt Macey and defender Harry Clarke are heading out the door.

Macey is on the verge of completing a move to Luton Town while Clarke has been recalled by Arsenal ahead of the final 12-months of his loan deal in Leith and is set to be farmed out instead to Stoke City.

But it’s McGeady who will excite the Hibs faithful after a dire campaign which saw goals at a premium and a miserable eighth place finish as well as two managers sacked.

New boss Johnson last night admitted his interest in the veteran who was a regular under his charge at Sunderland.

He said: “I have got a strong relationship with Aiden, he is a fantastic player with unbelievable feet. He gets to the corner of the box then often there’s an assist or a shot at goal.

“He is 36 so whether it’s us or anyone else he has nothing to prove but a lot to prove as well.

“He is a maverick, he is a challenging but inspiring character to have in your squad and whoever gets Aiden McGeady for a year or two will have an exceptional player and person."

Johnson has already made six signings with David Marshall, Lewis Miller, Jair Tavares, Rocky Bushiri, Nohan Kenneh and Momodou Bojang heading in the door.

But Macey will depart after 18 months and 52 appearances in a deal that will net the Hibees close to £100,000.

Arsenal have activated a break clause in the Clarke’s agreement after Stoke boss Michael O’Neill made his move for the defender.

It’s a bodyblow for the Easter Road club who were deprived of Clarke’s services for the first three months of his loan spell due to a hamstring injury.

It also leaves Johnson hunting another defender in the summer window.

Clarke eventually made eight appearances for the Hibees, scoring in his debut against Dundee United.