Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen today revealed that he is hopeful that midfielder Dean Shiels will sign a new deal at the Hibees.
Shiels, 23, has been at Easter Road for 5 years but looked to be on his way out last season after falling out of favour with then boss John Collins.
When Collins resigned from the club, Shiels was given a new lease of life when Paatelainen restored him to the starting eleven.
Rumours that Rangers had been keen to sign the Northern Ireland internationalist on a pre-contract agreement surfaced last week, but these rumours seem to be untrue.
English Championship sides Plymouth Argyle, Bristol City and Ipswich Town have also been linked with the Hibs ace.
Shiels is out of contract in the summer and can talk to other clubs in January with a view to signing a pre-contract agreement, although a small fee could be arranged.
Aberdeen have been linked with Shiels a number of times recently, but a move to Pittodrie is unlikely.
The Hibees have opened contract talks with Shiels and are hopeful that he will sign a new deal in the coming weeks.
Hibs boss Paatelainen said:
"Deano is a valuable player for us, he's a good footballer, a good character. We want to have players like him at the club, there is no question about that. Everybody realises that he has started almost every game since I came to the club. I do rate him, I think he is a fantastic footballer.
"But agents are busy, especially at this time of year so there are plenty of rumours, speculation and headlines. At this moment in time, if the Old Firm came in, an English Premiership team came in, or a Championship team came in, or whoever came in, there is always a risk of losing players."
Shiels arrived at Easter Road from Arsenal in 2004 and has now played 120+ games for the Hibees.
He also has 7 international caps for Northern Ireland, all gained while under contract at Easter Road.
Thanks once again to Alan Rennie and the Hibernian Interactive team for the use of the photo.
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