Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen is preparing to axe up to nine players from his squad as he prepares for the new SPL season.

Paatelainen admitted he needs to cut down the size of his squad and, following the arrivals of Steven Thicot and Joe Keenan, is hoping to replace quantity with quality at Easter Road.

He said: "There are eight or nine players I believe are not good enough, simple as that.

"I have spoken to each of them and told them it would be better if they were to seek a position elsewhere. They will not play for this football club and it does not help anyone because we have too many players.

"If they want to sit it out for a year or two their career may be finished, so those players should look to themselves because they will not play here."