Collins challenges Hibs pair

Hibernian manager John Collins has admitted Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson will be "tested" by the uncertainty surrounding their futures but remains hopeful their on-field performances will not suffer.

Charlton have had a 3million offer for the pair rejected by Easter Road chairman Rod Petrie, with the Old Firm also among possible suitors. After agent Willie McKay publicly criticised Hibernian's failure to hold talks on new contracts for his clients, interest is only expected to escalate, but Collins is hopeful the players will not be affected by the ongoing situation.

Collins said: "Real players, strong players with strong minds, just keep producing. That's what being a top player is all about, producing week-in, week-out and not listening to excuses or believing in speculation. I believe they have the mental strength but time will tell. They're never out of the papers, so it's a testing time for them both."