Even miserable Gayle told me going to Hibs was no-brainer!

Dwight so right to recommend Leith as port of call for Hanley

- BY DARREN JOHNSTONE

GRANT HANLEY knew signing for Hibs was the right move when "miserable" Dwight Gayle spoke so highly of the club.

The Scotland defender signed a two-year deal last week and made his debut in Sunday’s frustrating 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock.

Hanley, 33, did his homework on the Leith outfit before putting pen to paper by chatting to former Newcastle teammate Gayle and onetime national team colleague David Marshall - now Hibs’ technical performance manager - about Easter Road.

And he joked that he knew he was on to a good thing when Gayle, who retired at the end of last season following an enjoyable season at the capital club, admitted he loved his time in Edinburgh.

Hanley said: "I've known lads that have played here over the last year or two so I reached out to them when I knew this could be an option.

"From their point of view, having this opportunity was a no-brainer. You can see how close that dressing room is and that's what you want as a player.