Marc McNulty reveals what frustrated him at Sunderland - and how his move to Hibernian almost fell through

The striker completed a deadline day switch to Easter Road after seeing his season-long loan at the Stadium of Light cut short.

And the 27-year-old praised the endeavour of Hibs’ senior management to get the deal done - having admitted it was on-and-off during the closing weeks of the window.

“The club have been brilliant, to be honest,” he said, speaking to Hibs TV

“Ever since a couple of weeks ago, they’ve been trying to get something done.

“There’s been quite a few twists and turns, but Graeme Mathie [head of recruitment] and “Leanne Dempster [chief executive], they’ve kept on pushing it and pushing it.

“It’s sort of looked like nothing has been happening, but they’ve done really well and I appreciate them doing that.”

Hibernian weren’t the only side showing an interest in McNulty, though.

It’s understood a number of English teams - including League Two high-flyers Swindon Town - were keen on a move.

“I thought long and hard about it,” said McNulty of his decision to return to Scotland.

“I had a couple of other options down there, but similar to last year I chose to come here. It paid off then, and hopefully it does the same.”

The striker had been out of favour at the Stadium of Light in the build-up to the window, with Phil Parkinson preferring Charlie Wyke as the lone striker.

But McNulty will now look to reignite his career under the guidance of Jack Ross - whom he felt was beginning to get the best out of him prior to his Sunderland dismissal.

“I’ve not played much over the last couple of months and it’s been a bit frustrating,” admitted the striker.

“I was just getting going just before the manager left, which was frustrating.

“But I appreciate him giving me the opportunity to come back here.”

Sunderland swooped to sign Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo on deadline day, in a move which triggered the sequence of events which allowed McNulty to head to Hibernian.