To lose one international footballer is unfortunate. To lose two is careless but to lose three, for a team of Hibernian's limited resources, is sheer folly.
But that is the scenario the Hibs manager, Tony Mowbray, faces as he enters his third season at Easter Road. In fairness, Mowbray's hands were tied by the need to sell and he must hope his young side adapt to the departures of Garry O'Connor, Derek Riordan and Gary Caldwell with the minimum of fuss.
In Steven Fletcher, the Scotland Under-19 international, they have a striker who could surpass Riordan, while Chris Killen served notice that he can fill O'Connor's sizeable shoes. However, it is at the back that will cause most concern where Caldwell and Gary Smith were influential figures.