HIBS gaffer John Hughes has warned fans to be realistic this summer - but admits he's still looking to pull a rabbit from the hat as he builds a new side.
The Easter Road boss surprised many when he snapped up former Arsenal star Anthony Stokes and ex-Celtic midfielder Liam Miller last year ahead of his first season in charge of the capital club.
The Republic of Ireland caps were vital to Hibs' eventual qualification for the Europa League with fourth spot in the SPL, with Stokes firing 23 goals and Miller named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year after a string of impressive showings.
With a Europa League campaign starting in July and ambitions to build on their top-four finish, Hughes hopes Hibs can be active in the transfer market to replace the four first-team players he released.
But with Hearts rival Jim Jefferies also handed a substantial war chest by club owner Vladimir Romanov to spark his own signing spree, Hughes has attempted to cool his own fans' aspirations.
He said: "I've always pulled a rabbit out of a hat wherever I've been from keepers Tim Krul and Kasper Schmeichel at Falkirk to Miller and Stokesy here.
"That's the kind of quality I'm looking to bring to the club but I'll say this to the Hibs fans, 'You have to be realistic, it's a business that we run and everything has to be done within the business'.
"But it's a work in progress to make sure we can help them along with a few new faces. I know where we need to strengthen and I'd like to bring in one or two."
Meanwhile, Colin Nish is excited by the club's return to Europe after firing the goals that sealed the club's qualification.
The 29-year-old netted five times in the last two games of the season, with a hat-trick in the incredible 6-6 draw with Motherwell followed by a double in the vital 2-0 win over Dundee United.
The former Kilmarnock striker, a boyhood Hibs fan, now can't wait to taste continental action.
He said: "It all seemed to click together for the last couple of games and as a Hibs fan I'm really excited about playing in the Europa League. It's a great time to be here."
