Jack Ross says James Scott is far from a stop-gap signing for Hibs.
The Easter Road side have been on the lookout for a new striker since Christian Doidge was hit with an injury that is expected to keep him out until the new year.
Ross assessed his options but eventually decided on Scott, who joined Hull from Motherwell in January last year.
He's highly rated at the Tigers but their promotion to the Championship has limited his opportunities this season.
The 20-year-old was linked with Hearts earlier in the window but Hibs announced his arrival on a season-long loan on Friday night.
And while it's only a loan for now, Ross is not ruling out a prolonged stay for the hitman - provided he hits the ground running.
When asked about keeping him beyond this season, he said: “It’s a possibility, but I think a lot of things would have to come together for that to be the case.
"From our point of view, I don’t think we’ve looked at it as a stop-gap. We have him for a season, initially, and if everything goes as well as we hope for both sides, it’s something that could be.
“One thing I’ve not done a lot of in recent times is take loan players. We are trying to have something stable with longer planning.
“But the fact we have got him for a season was important. If you look at the money Hull shelled out, it’s in their best interests to maintain value or see if he’s good enough to go back and make an impact with them.
“He’s a hungry player who ticks a lot of boxes for us.”
Ross joins the club ahead of their clash with Livingston at Easter Road but it's unclear if he was signed in time to be registered for that game.
