Hibs boss Jack Ross hints at dressing-room dressing-down and speaks on his yellow card

Hibs manager Jack Ross has backed defender Ryan Porteous to bounce back from the blunder that gifted St Johnstone the winning goal in their 1-0 victory at Easter Road.

Hibs manager Jack Ross (right) and assistant John Potter endured a difficult afternoon as their Easter Road side contributed to their own downfall against St Johnstone. Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group

However, he revealed that the centre-half did not get the opportunity to apologise to the dressing-room, such was his desire to offload his annoyance at the way the whole team allowed standards to dip.

"No he never got the chance … it was one of those days!” said a dismayed Ross who was unhappy at the way his side sold themselves short against their Perth visitors, allowing fourth-placed Aberdeen to close the gap on them to three points in the battle for third place.

“We didn't play well. We didn't do enough to win, but I don't necessarily think we deserved to lose.

"I don't think St Johnstone did much more than us, there wasn't a lot created and it wasn't a good game to watch. But we came out on the wrong side because of the defensive lapse, otherwise it would probably have been 0-0.

“Look, Ryan cares about his football and he spends a lot of time working with myself and [Hibs assistant manager] John Potter. He is prepared to take responsibility to get better but he also has broad shoulders. He has bounced back this season already and I think he will do that again.”

Ross expects a positive response from the whole squad, as they now return to Scottish Cup duty. "It's a good week ahead of us, an exciting week. We've shown plenty of times this season that we respond in the right manner.”

To compound the afternoon’s frustrations, Ross collected a yellow card after approaching the officials at full-time – but he is unsure what he did to merit it.

"I didn't swear, didn't raise my voice, I don't think I was aggressive but I'll accept it and move on,” said Ross.

“Sometimes officials like to talk to you and then choose their moments not to talk to you. I find that frustrating.

“I know other managers get frustrated with it as well. People forget football is an emotional game and sometimes there needs to be a collective reminder of that.”

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