Hibs loan deal for Andrew Shinnie is “virtually agreed” according to Gary Rowett

Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett has confirmed that Hibs’ hopes of taking  former Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Andrew Shinnie on a year long loan deal is “virtually agreed”.

Hibs’ Head Coach Neil Lennon admitted that Shinnie was on his radar following Hibs 2-1 win over Dunfermline on Saturday.

Shinnie came on as a substitute in the recent friendly between the clubs at Easter Road and he is currently considering the offer to return to Scotland to resurrect his career.

The Scotland international joined the Blues from ICT three years ago after a successful spell in the Highlands where he scored 19 league goals in 57 appearances and was named in the PFA SPL Team of the Year as well as being short listed for a Players Player of the Year award.

He made his full international debut in November 2012 in a 2-1 win over Luxembourg.

Rowett said: “There has been contact between the clubs. Shinns has been a great lad for me, he’s a really, really good player, particularly when we first came in he was a really integral part of that.

“The likes  Diego (Fabbrini) has  moved that No. 10 position on a notch in some ways and it’s made it difficult for him to get game time.

“Anyone’s like that when it’s a season of no game time really, you start getting into the next season and if you feel as though he is still going to be limited I will never try and stand in anyone’s way.

“I would want to play football if I was a player.

“They have made an enquiry, we have virtually agreed and now it’s down to one or two things that Shinns has to decide.

“Whether he wants to go back to Scotland and various other things.

“In principle it’s something both clubs think it’s probably a good move for him although until it’s done it’s not done.”