Paul Hanlon expects an announcement on his Hibs future 'in a few weeks'.

The 34-year-old club captain, with 559 appearances to his name, is out of contract this summer after a season spent occupying a bit-part role. He was called from the bench during Saturday's 3-1 win away at St Johnstone, and popped up with Hibs' second goal of the afternoon with a cool finish from close range.

As uncertainty lingers over what comes next, Hanlon confessed it did cross his mind that it could be his last ever goal in green and white. The centre-back has held talks with the club, and anticipates a resolution come the conclusion of the campaign.

“There’s been a few chats," said Hanlon. "But it’s one of them that will probably be announced in a few weeks, with the weeks running out now. So probably an announcement will be made in the next few weeks.

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“It definitely did cross my mind [that it could be his last goal]. The older you get, the more you appreciate those moments. Being a Hibs boy growing up, every goal is special to me. There’s usually a wee while between the goals – but it’s a great feeling.

“To be fair, I’m sure I’ve scored one every season, so at least this season’s ticked off now! Obviously first and foremost, at 1-0 up in a game, you’re coming on as a defender and thinking: ‘Right, make sure we’re solid at the back.’ But any time I go up, I want to get my head on it, foot on it, whatever.

“It was a long throw-in from Joe, I managed to get a little flick on originally and it fell to me in the box. A nice wee finish with my right foot!"

Failure to make the top six will be the defining aspect of Hibs' season, and Hanlon knows, more than most, that's it not acceptable at Easter Road. He admits getting into the top-half was the bare minimum goal at the outset this term, and missing out has raised questions over the players' mentality for the final run of matches which are, essentially, dead rubbers.

Nick Montgomery's side did produce a more clinical display in front of goal at McDiarmid Park, an issue that - alongside conceding late - has plagued them all season. But even with the slim prospect of being dragged into the relegation play-off now eradicated, Hanlon is adamant Hibs still cannot afford to coast through to the summer. He's well aware players are 'always being judged' at the club, and believes there remains a need to finish the season as positively as possible.

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“I think everyone felt it [missing top six]," said the defender. "There have always been high expectations at this club, and they’ve probably been raised even more in the past few years.

“We need to be in the top six. There’s no doubt about that. We didn’t meet our most basic objective for the season, that top-six finish. Everyone realised it. The whole group know that it isn’t acceptable.

“There were question marks going into this game about our mentality, people asking what our mentality was going to be like when we’ve have that disappointment and there’s not much riding on the games. But I think we showed against St Johnstone that we have character, that we are fighting every week for the club and for the fans.

“Hopefully we get good results like this between now and the end of the season. I think at Hibs you are always being judged. There’s not five minutes when you’re not being judged by the fans or whoever is watching, because you are playing for a big club.

“Obviously for the manager and the staff, as well, you are always being judged on your performances. So it’s not a case of just being able to down tools. People will notice and criticise you if you aren’t taking it seriously, if you aren’t giving it 100 per cent.

“So that’s been the message, that we have to do everything properly, because people will be waiting to shoot you down, and waiting to question you."