Teenage forward Josh Landers has put pen to paper on a new Hibs contract.
The 16-year-old, who made his senior debut at Hampden in the Viaplay Cup semi-final against Aberdeen, has agreed a three-year extension to his current deal. Landers joined the Hibs academy aged just 10, and scored his first goal for the U-18 squad while aged only 14.
Since the arrival of manager Nick Montgomery back in September, the young striker has consistently been involved in first-team training alongside fellow rising star Rory Whittaker, and a number of others. After making his Hibs bow at the national stadium, Landers earned another late run-out in last week's Premiership draw with St Mirren in Paisley.
He has been one of a number of development players to catch Montgomery's eye, with the manager repeatedly stressing he will give youth a chance, when those chances are earned. Landers' efforts have now been rewarded with an extended future at Easter Road.
Academy director Gareth Evans expressed his delight at watching Landers' progress, and urged him to keep displaying the 'hunger and desire' which has propelled him into first-team contention.
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“We’re all delighted for Josh," said Evans. "I’m sure this is a very proud moment for him and his family. It’s always great to see a young player progress through the academy age groups and make their debut for the first team. The real challenge for Josh now is to keep that hunger and desire to develop and to push for more opportunities with the first-team set-up.”
Landers was involved in Hibs' foray into the UEFA Youth League last season, and he has been a regular goalscorer for the U-18s. A Peebles High School student, he has also earned international recognition with the Scotland U-16 squad.
Given his graduation into the first-team setup, a new contract for Landers seems a no-brainer. It may be a while yet before we see him playing at Easter Road on a regular basis, but securing the brightest academy prospects on long-term deals makes good sense - from both a football and business perspective - for Hibs, not least with English Premier League clubs paying closer attention to up and coming Scottish talent post-Brexit.
The new contract is also a reflection of how Montgomery values Landers, and is indicative that his inclusion in squads of late has not been a token gesture or purely down to other players not being available. The manager has shown that he willing not only to keep young players in and around the first team, but to start them in important matches when the chance is deserved.
Rory Whittaker turned in an impressive display against St Mirren after being given the opportunity to play from the outset, and Landers may feel his own first start may not be too far away if he continues to impress the manager.
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