Mixu playing waiting game in bid to get Hibs top targets

MIXU PAATELAINEN has identified the players he believes can give his side the edge in the battle for a UEFA Cup place next season – but admitted he'll have to play a waiting game to find out if he's been successful in bids to bring them to Easter Road.

The Hibs manager has spent the last couple of months drawing up a final list of targets and is hoping that a number of them will be in place before his side kick-off their new season in the Intertoto Cup next month.

However, with the majority of players, managers and agents currently enjoying a few weeks break at the end of the season, Paatelainen knows that he faces a race against time to get his players in place before Hibs return to action.

Paatelainen, who replaced John Collins as Hibs manager back in January, said: "I am working away and am trying to make things happen and to strengthen the side.

"Obviously we have been looking at the situation for some time but I doubt anything will happen over the next week or two because a lot of players are on holiday at the moment.

"It's just something that we have to deal with and the situation is the same for every other club but we will keep working on it."

And Paatelainen revealed that he is looking for versatility in any new signings, adding: "It's not all about the number of players that you bring in. If they can play in a couple of roles than that's all the better for us.

"The most important thing is that we make sure every area of the pitch has cover."

Meanwhile, Paatelainen admitted that there was nothing he could have said or done to keep Guillaume Beuzelin at Easter