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Hibs and Kilmarnock keen on loan deal for Ipswich Town Scotland Under-21 international keeper Cieran Slicker




Ipswich Town’s Scotland Under-21 international goalkeeper Cieran Slicker has revealed he is seeking a loan move – with Scottish Premiership sides Hibs and Kilmarnock reportedly keen to take him.

The Suffolk club signed the 21-year-old from Manchester City for a nominal fee on a three-year contract last summer, with the Oldham-born shot-stopper going on to make two appearances, both in the Carabao Cup as he was left behind Vaclav Haldky and Christian Walton in the Portman Road pecking order.

He was also named on the bench nine times in the league, following Walton’s pre-season injury, as Kieran McKenna’s side won automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship.

Ipswich Town’s young goalkeeper Cieran Slicker could be set for a loan spell in the Scottish Premiership Picture: Barry Goodwin
Ipswich Town’s young goalkeeper Cieran Slicker could be set for a loan spell in the Scottish Premiership Picture: Barry Goodwin

It now seems the Blues have agreed to send him out on loan to help further his development with first-team football.

Speaking to The National while away with Scotland Under-21s, where he won his 17th cap in a 5-0 defeat away to Austria on Friday, following a 2-1 loss against Turkey in Istanbul last Monday, he said: “Now definitely is the time for me to go and play and I feel like I am in a good position to do so.

"I want to go out and play games, that’s the main thing for me.

Cieran Slicker ended up making two first-team appearances for Ipswich Town last season, both in the league cup Picture: Ady Kerry
Cieran Slicker ended up making two first-team appearances for Ipswich Town last season, both in the league cup Picture: Ady Kerry

“I always enjoy coming away with the 21s, but I want to show people I can do it week in and week out.

“We’ve had a lot of discussions with the manager and goalkeeping coach and everyone is on the same page with it. So now we are looking for options to see what is the best platform to help me kick on. That’s the plan.

“Perhaps people will look at it and see that I didn’t play too many games, but being around the squad and working with the manager and his staff has been almost as good as playing 30 games. So it was actually an important season.”

And The Scottish Sun are reporting that Hibs are leading the chase to secure Slicker’s services, following number one David Marshall departing following his contract expiring.

The Manchester City Academy graduate will be well known to the Edinburgh club’s new sporting director Malky Mackay, following his time as the Scottish FA's performance director.

But it is claimed Kilmarnock are also ‘keeping tabs’ on the situation with a view to rivaling Hibs for Slicker’s signature.

It comes as the goalkeeper situation at newly-promoted Premier League Town is uncertain with Hladky, who established himself as the number one last season and being ever present in the Championship, still in contract talks over his future. It appears a guarantee of a first-team starting spot could have proved a stumbling block.

The club’s retained list last week revealed Walton, who found himself as the back-up keeper on his return from a foot injury picked up in pre-season, has had a one-year option on his contract extended. It could have been done with a view to selling the former Brighton & Hove Albion stopper though if he is not happy with his place in the pecking order.

Current Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth, who impressed on loan in the Championship with Swansea last season, is someone who has been linked with a move to Town via social media.