Norwegian Niklas Gunnarsson On Loan Might Help Hibs

Hibs are only three points behind Scottish Championship toppers Rangers, but with Falkirk snapping at their heels can they gain the promotion to the Premiership they've been chasing now they've bolstered their defense with Norwegian Niklas Gunnarsson on loan?

Hibs Nab Norwegian On Loan
• Norwegian Niklas Gunnarsson
• Defender at Valerenga
• Chris Dagnall also joins squad

With only one loss in their last ten games Hibernian have been on quite the charge and now sit in third place merely goal difference behind Falkirk with a game in hand. However Alan Stubbs knows that his team are still vulnerable and need to be rock solid if they really are to advance at the end of the season, with the back four an area that has definitely showed signs of needing a little tweaking as the 2016 portion of this season gets underway.

Part of this has been gambling news of Hibernian signing Norwegian Niklas Gunnarsson on loan from Valerenga till the end of the season will put off a few forwards, the under-23 international no push-over and a formidable addition to the squad, but it remains to be seen just how soon will the opportunity for the young man from Tonsberg to take to the field in a Hib's shirt will arise. Chances are it won't be against Falkirk on the 17th, but then who is to say he won't be thrown in at the deep end.

As competitors some 17 points ahead of the rest of the table a win against Falkirk is a must for Hibernian and whilst signings like Norwegian Niklas Gunnarsson on loan from Valerenga are not going to be the first choice, I wouldn't be surprised to see them on the bench going in, and coming off it should the game not go to plan, or, I suppose in Gunnarsson's case, if a narrow lead needs defending in the last half an hour.

Norwegian Niklas Gunnarsson On Loan At Hibs

Of course whilst Hibs gaining Norwegian Niklas Gunnarsson on loan from Valerenga might be good news for those who like to bet on sports in Norway and want a reason to pay more attention to the Scottish Championship, it's not their only signing in recent days with Chris Dagnall winging his way back from India where he's been scoring prolifically for the Kerala Blasters to put a edge on the sharp end of the Hibernian attack.

The 29 year old, who went to India from the slightly less exotic Leyton Orient, is pleased with the move saying; “Hibs are a big club, everyone knows about Hibs. I can see they've been doing well and they're competing at the top of the league with Rangers, Hibs is a team everyone keeps an eye out for.” Going on to add, rather modestly “Hopefully the manager sees something in me that the other players haven't got.” But then you don't want modest strikers.

Norwegian Niklas Gunnarsson on loan till the end of the season has been talked up by Hibs boss Alan Stubbs who said “Niklas is strong and athletic and will provide valuable competition across the backline. He's comfortable on both sides and has played a good amount of football with Valerenga and Elfsborg over the last couple of years, so will be able to hit the ground running.” Making the in-at-the-deep-end scenario perhaps more likely than it would usually be.

Chris Dagnall To Add An Attacking Edge

Much as gaining Norwegian Niklas Gunnarsson on loan, and indeed Chris Dagnall, has achieved the aims Stubbs set out, Hibernian are not resting on the laurels of sealing those deals having also begun to inquire as to the availability of teenage midfielder Greg Kiltie currently at Kilmarnock, salient perhaps as his contract is up this month and the 18 year old shows the sort of promise that many teams would like to have in their squad.


Certainly he's only made 22 appearances for the Scottish Premiership club but he did score twice and a move to Hibs would give him more games, but whether he fancies climbing down to the Championship to get more time on the pitch is another question. Certainly Kilmarnock will not wish to see him go, but Hibs could make him an offer he can't refuse. They might well make the same sort of effort to retain Norwegian Niklas Gunnarsson on loan or a more permanent basis at season's end should he perform.

Finding odds on games featuring Norwegians Niklas Gunnarssson on loan at Hibernian at ComeOn! Sportsbook is simple even if you have to deal with archaic Norwegian gambling laws and as the season gets ever nearer the make-or-break point you can expect some seriously tricky games to call. Rangers still remain, three points clear, the favorites to win the Scottish Championship at 1.15 but Hibs are closing up just behind them on 4.75 with Falkirk a slightly undeserved distant 31.00.