A former Hibs defender has signed players from Ayr United, Hibs and Leeds United.
A Hibs player has been praised after his debut performance at his new team, following a loan exit.
Former Easter Road star and current Greenock Morton head coach Ian Murray has moved to capture Hibees goalkeeper Murray Johnson on loan until the end of the season. He has played a back-up role to Raphael Sallinger and Jordan Smith this term, and has had senior exposure with Airdrie and Queen of the South previously.
Reuben Lopata-White has also arrived on loan from Leeds United and Ayr United’s Curtis Main has joined until the end the end of this season. Murray handed debuts to his three new players during Saturday’s stalemate in the Championship with Raith Rovers. Hibs talent Johnson lined up between the sticks and picked up a clean sheet with Leeds United prospect Reuben Lopata-White ahead of him. Main led the line up front with former Scotland international Eamonn Brophy for support, and Murray was made up for Johnson.
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Why has Murray Johnson left Hibs on loan?
The Morton boss said: "It was Reuben's pro debut and I was delighted for him. He moves very well, is good physically, with a good turn of speed. He's up here to learn to be more of a real defender, and hopefully we'll send him back to Leeds at the end of the season a better player. Murray's come in from the cold at Hibs, we were delighted to get him and he'll be delighted with his clean sheet.
“Big Curtis I thought ran his socks off, he wasn't getting great service but showed he's a handful. We're on a three game unbeaten run in the league and we want to build on it. We're leaving here happy enough. We've come on a lot in the last two to three weeks because anyone who saw us against Stenhousemuir, we looked like we were the League One side, and they were the ones in the Championship. That was really concerning me but the players have reacted.
"They are getting to know me and I'm getting relationships with the players as well and the small things are starting to get good. When they do, the big picture will fall into place. There wasn't much in the game, I thought we shaded it overall without dominating.
Why has Murray Johnson left Hibs on loan?
"It was just a really competitive Championship fixture, although both teams will be disappointed with not creating any real chances. In terms of our application and willingness to try to win the game, though, I've no complaints. It wasn't a pretty game but both teams are probably walking away saying a good point."
Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay says the chance to play competitive games again is something that’s too good for Johnson to turn down. Mackay said “At Murray's stage of his career, we felt it was best for his development to be out on the pitch playing games.
“This will be an excellent opportunity to test himself at a very competitive level in the Scottish Championship. We all look forward to monitoring his progress closely and wish him all the best between now and the end of the season at Greenock Morton."
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