Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen hopes new signings Joe Keenan and Steven Thicot will lift his side after a poor pre-season.Keenan signed a two-year deal after impressing during a trial spell, with Thicot penning a three-year contract after also training with the Easter Road club.

Keenan started his career with Chelsea, where he made three first-team appearances, and also had spells with Westerlo in Belgium, Dutch club Willem II and in Australia with Melbourne Victory.

Paatelainen is confident the 25-year-old will strengthen his midfield and defensive options after the loss of Guillaume Beuzelin at the end of last season.

He said: "I am looking forward to having the players available because I think they will add to the squad.

"Joe is a very fit player and although he is only 25 years of age has quite a lot of experience after playing a couple of games with the Chelsea first team, and in Holland, Belgium and Australia.

"He has seen different styles and different types of management. Hopefully he will bolster our midfield passing. He's a skilful player, with great awareness and passing ability.

"At his last club he played on the left-hand side of defence as a wing-back.

"I don't think we will see him there too often. But who knows. That's a possibility as well. He's a player who can fill in a couple of positions in the team."

Thicot played in Hibs' pre-season friendlies with Raith Rovers and Barcelona, with a 0-0 draw at Stark's Park being followed by a 6-0 hammering from the Spanish giants at Murrayfield.

Paatelainen still saw enough in the freed Nantes defender in those games to convince him that the 21-year-old Frenchman will add to his squad, who have so far failed to win a game during their pre-season preparations and suffered an embarrassing loss to Cowdenbeath on Monday night.

Paatelainen added: "I can see he's had a good education when it comes to football. He knows what he is doing.

"He's a very solid defender, whether he plays in defence or in midfield. He's another one who can play various roles. He can play everywhere in defence and hopefully he will make us more solid."

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