There are expected to be many ins and outs this summer at Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough are in early talks with St Mirren over a permanent transfer for keeper Zach Hemming, according to Buddies manager Stephen Robinson.
Hemming is now on loan at St Mirren, where he impressed last season before taking on a new challenge with League One club Leyton Orient in the first part of this season. He was recalled early and returned to St Mirren after the move did not go as planned.
The 25-year-old has swiftly established himself with the Scottish Premiership club, which is presently sixth and vying for a place in Europe once more. He has five clean sheets this season for the Paisley club, and St Mirren are already in talks to make his loan move permanent this summer.
Robinson stated: “You look at his clean sheets already and the points we’ve accumulated before Christmas, and he’s played a significant role in that. Talks with Middlesbrough are well underway. We have other ambitions to bring other players into the football club. The season isn’t over yet, but once it is, things tend to move a little more quickly.”
St Mirren has two games remaining after qualifying for the top half of the table once more this season. They are two points behind fifth-placed Dundee United after defeating them on Saturday, and they hope to leapfrog them to secure a Europa Conference League qualification berth.
They play Hibernian on Wednesday evening, with Robinson hoping his side wins to ensure they advance to the final day, though European qualification isn’t thought to be a deciding factor in signing Hemming.
On qualifying for Europe, Robinson said, “We are focused, and we have put ourselves in a situation where, with two games to go, people are still talking about us going into a European competition. As I have often stated, that is a fantastic accomplishment for the group of athletes.
“We will do all in our ability to win this tough game. It’s a very good Hibs side, but one that we’re more than capable of. We beat them before, so why not again? We have narrowed the deficit, but we have yet to catch up with anyone. So we won’t get carried away until we really execute it.
“All you can do is win the game in front of you. And if we can do that, it will come down to the final day. Of course, an easy task away at Celtic! But we want to go all the way so that we have a legitimate chance to qualify for Europe in the final game.”
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