HIBS manager Alex Miller moved into the transfer market yesterday with a double signing. Ian Cameron arrived from Partick Thistle in a swop deal that took Gareth Evans and David Farrell to Firhill, while Brian Welsh moved from Dundee United to Easter Road.
Welsh, whose transfer fee may have to be decide by a
tribunal, was on the verge of joining Bristol City before Miller stepped in.
The signings ended weeks of waiting for the long-suffering Easter Road fans, whose patience was rewarded as
the new faces they have been promised were finally delivered.
The double swoop marked a remarkable turnaround for the two players, who were both key figures in last season's
premier division play-offs.
Reminded that it was Welsh who scored the goal in
the game that all but relegated Thistle, Cameron joked yesterday: ``I'm going to batter him.
``Being relegated was the biggest downer of my career, so it's great to come to Hibs and get the chance of playing in the premier division again.
``The atmosphere at that play-off was the most intense I've ever experienced, even though there were only about 12,000 fans there.
``I scored with a penalty, but Dundee United equalised with 32 seconds left - although I think it was actually the ninety-third minute.
``We had the game won and I had actually forgotten it was Brian who scored. But that's all in the past,'' added Cameron, who, like Welsh, has signed a two-year deal at Easter Road.
``I was four years with
Thistle and looking for a change. The preference was always to stay in Scotland, and Raith Rovers and Motherwell were interested. But if nothing had worked out here I would have considered going abroad.
``I'm a different type of player to Michael O'Neill, so it would be folly for me to think I was coming here as his replacement. I'm coming here as my own man.
``The way the transfer market is at the moment, I knew a move would take time and it has. I'm glad to get it all sorted out at last, though probably not as glad as my wife.''
Welsh's move also pleased his wife. ``Her family are all Hibs daft, so they're delighted, but it puts a bit more pressure on me.
``I was with Linz in Austria and Farense in Portugal on trial, but, like Ian, we preferred to stay in Britain.
``The deal with Bristol City was all but done and dusted, but after speaking to Alex Miller, the only place I wanted to come to was Easter Road.
``I didn't want to mention that goal to Ian, but it certainly was a very emotional day and I think I realised I'd played my last game for United.
``I played in the Scottish Cup-winning side when I was at Tannadice and I hope to
be able to help Hibs win a
trophy or two as well,'' said the former Tynecastle Boys Club player.
After welcoming the new players to Easter Road, chairman Douglas Cromb promised they would not be the last.
``We have been under a lot of pressure to buy and we've started today. But we don't stop here; others are in the pipeline,'' he said.
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