David Gray hopes any move for star man Kieron Bowie benefits Hibernian

David Gray confirmed Hibernian have received offers for Kieron Bowie, but the manager is not ruling out the possibility of the in-demand striker being involved in Sunday’s Premiership match at home to Rangers.

The 23-year-old Scotland forward has been the subject of at least one bid from Hellas Verona, understood to be in the region of £6m, while Celtic, Rangers, Wolves and a number of European clubs have also been linked.

“There has been a lot of interest,” manager Gray said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon. “With the window being open, there’s speculation around Kieron. There has been a few bids. At this moment in time, that’s all I’ve really got on it.

“I’ve just walked past him, he was playing darts a minute ago. He trained this morning. He’s not trained as if he’s got one eye anywhere else.

“And until anything changes – and that can happen at any time with the window being open – or anyone tells me otherwise, then he’ll be available for this weekend.”

Bowie, who joined from Fulham for £600,000 18 months ago, has scored nine goals this term. While Gray has no desire to lose such a key player, he stressed that if he does move on before the window closes on Monday, the Easter Road club will be ready to bring in reinforcements.

“I can’t look at it from a selfish point of view at all, for what helps David Gray, not at all,” said the manager. “It’s what’s right for Hibernian.

“If Kieron was to move on, and it was right for everybody involved, it’s about how you react from that.

“That’s the beauty of the window. We are working hard to see, making sure that if we did lose someone like Kieron, that we can try and bring in a replacement.”

Hibs announced their first signing of the window on Thursday as 19-year-old Irish striker Owen Elding joined from Sligo Rovers on a contract until the summer of 2030.

“I think his record speaks for itself, he’s such a young boy but he’s played a lot of men’s football already at a good level and scored a variety of goals,” said Gray.

“He’s a really exciting one for the football club. In terms of the expectation, you don’t want to put too much pressure on him, he’s only 19, but I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to getting involved as quick as he can.”

Regardless of what happens with Bowie, Gray does not expect Elding to be the only new arrival this month.

“Ideally, as a manager, you’d want that (new arrivals) on day one but it never happens like that,” said the manager. “The domino effect always happens towards the end of the window.

“I’d like to add to the squad if we can, and if we think that the right people can come in to make us better. I do think there will be movement and we’ll certainly be continuing to work hard right to the very end.”