Ambrose hired on 93-day loan

HIBS are bringing Celtic defender Efe Ambrose to Easter Road after the 28-year-old’s loan move to Blackburn Rovers fell through.

Ambrose had signed for the Ewood Park side at the end of January’s transfer window but the move was never completed due to work permit issues and was called off today.

The Nigerian returned north to Celtic but Hibs boss Neil Lennon – who signed him for the Glasgow club in 2012 – has stepped in to take Ambrose to the capital on a 93-day loan.

Lennon also went back to his former club for Kris Commons in December on a 28-day temporary transfer.

The Irishman is now looking to have Ambrose available for Wednesday night’s game with St Mirren, with Paul Hanlon, Liam Fontaine and Jordan Forster all out injured.

Earlier Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has said Nigeria defender Ambrose does not have a future at the perennial Scottish champions and he will be expected to therefore leave in the summer.

“He’s one of the nicest guys around, but his future will be elsewhere. It won’t be here at Celtic,” he announced.

The UK Home office rejected the central defender’s loan switch to struggling English Championship side Blackburn Rovers because he has not played enough games for the Super Eagles in the last two years.

“It’s unfortunate he’s back here because he wanted to go on loan to get more playing time,” lamented Rodgers.

The 28-year-old Ambrose has not played for runaway league leaders Celtic this season after he featured in 21 matches in the league for them last season.

In his time at Celtic, he won four championships, two League Cup winners’ medal and a Scottish Cup.

He joined the Scottish kings in the 2012/13 season from Israeli club Ashdod.