Hibs: The development squad players who could be next to follow in Jamie Gullan's footsteps

Jamie Gullan's performances for Hibs since the turn of the year illustrate the hard work going on behind the scenes at East Mains - not just by the player, but the staff as well. The forward made his debut against NSI Runavik in the Europa League in July 2018 but 18 months later is a fully-fledged member of the Easter Road first-team squad.

The player's individual effort and two nurturing loan spells at Raith Rovers catapulted him from development squad regular to starting striker, and even a brief glance at his former team-mates in the Capital club's second string suggests there are more gems waiting to be discovered.

Rearguard options

Defensively, there looks to be plenty of talent coming through the ranks. Goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski has come on leaps and bounds since arriving from Lech Poznan during Neil Lennon's tenure. A loan spell with League Two Cowdenbeath earlier this season resulted in six clean sheets in 17 appearances and the 21-year-old shot-stopper could have a big 2020/21 season ahead of him.

Comfortable at left-back or as a centre-half in a back three or four, the highly-rated Josh Doig joined Queen's Park on loan in January and made a big impression at the Spiders until the season was curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic. Despite his tender years - he is still just 17 - the defender played a part in Hibs' pre-season fixtures last summer and has looked assured when pitched into first-team action. It's early days yet but the versatile teen could have a big future ahead of him, as could fellow left-sided defender Callum Yeats who was a regular for Lowland League side Civil Service Strollers before the coronavirus pandemic halted football. He has played as a left-back, left wingback and has already trained with the Hibs first team. Possessing a keen eye for a pass as well as being dangerous going forward and a tenacious tackler, Yeats looks a real talent for the future.

Versatility and strength

Tommy Block has made good progress since arriving from Bognor Regis a little over 12 months ago, and the versatile midfielder has often been deployed as a right-back in development squad matches. He filled both positions during a loan spell with Queen's Park but it was as a number eight that he caught the eye. One Spiders fan said: "When on his game, he was one of the best in the league. He's a strong guy and puts himself about, and clearly has the potential to play at a higher level."

Scotland Under-17 cap Jayden Fairley has enjoyed a breakout year for club and country, featuring for the development squad at the age of 15 and scoring spectacular long-range efforts for Scotland. Still just 16, the midfielder signed his first professional deal in October 2019 and scored on his debut for loan side Civil Service Strollers.

The Easter Road side has a handful of midfielders, namely Josh Campbell, Innes Murray, and Ben Stirling, who have all been in and around the first team in the last 12 months or so, giving the likes of Block and Fairley a tangible target once football’s hiatus ends.

National caps, goals, and assists

In the forward ranks, Hibs have three players on an upward trajectory.

Diminutive winger Yrick Gallantes has already been capped by the Philippines but is yet to make his first-team debut in green and white. The 19-year-old is highly regarded by the national team hierarchy and, closer to home, impressed on loan at Gala Fairydean Rovers earlier this term.

Fellow wide player Stevie Bradley, 18, has caught the eye when featuring for the development squad. The former Queen's Park youngster has had an impressive first 12 months as a full-time footballer and is another likely to get more game time when football starts up again.

Ryan Shanley spent the first part of the season on loan at Civil Service Strollers before being farmed out to Forfar earlier this year. Capable of playing as a No.9 or as a wide forward, he is another who has trained with the first team and of whom big things are expected.

A little further away from the first team is Josh Currie, but the young striker has battled back from a serious cruciate injury and extensive surgery to feature off the bench for the development squad in recent months and could be another to keep an eye on.

What happens next?

Most if not all of these players will be seeking more game time in the near-future - whether on loan at other clubs, or if Hibs continue their specially-arranged programme of fixtures to test their development players. In matches against Celtic, Rangers and English clubs with highly-regarded academy systems such as Brentford, Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United, the Hibs players more than held their own.

Assuming they continue to progress from strength to strength, the Easter Road first-team could have a very homegrown look to it in the not-too-distant future.