Hibs: 'Business as usual' despite coronavirus threat, says Jack Ross

‘Surreal’ but Capital side preparing for crunch top-six clash as normal
Jack Ross admitted it has been 'surreal' preparing for a game with the background of the coronavirus pandemicJack Ross admitted it has been 'surreal' preparing for a game with the background of the coronavirus pandemic
Jack Ross admitted it has been 'surreal' preparing for a game with the background of the coronavirus pandemic

Hibs head coach Jack Ross has admitted it’s been strange preparing for tomorrow’s match with St Johnstone against the background of the growing threat from the pandemic of coronavirus.

While this weekend’s fixtures appear set to be played as usual, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has revealed she’ll recommend the cancellation of gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday in a bid to help slow the outbreak.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Decisions have yet to be made as to the impact on the remainder of the football season – along with other sporting events – with questions yet to be answered as to whether games may go ahead behind closed doors, be postponed or even the campaign brought to a premature end and the implications that might have on current standings, both in terms of titles and relegation.

Jack Ross remained two metres away from members of the media at East Mains, with the press conference conducted in a training barnJack Ross remained two metres away from members of the media at East Mains, with the press conference conducted in a training barn
Jack Ross remained two metres away from members of the media at East Mains, with the press conference conducted in a training barn

Top-six battle goes on regardless

For Ross, though, it’s been “business as usual” as far as possible preparing for the visit of the Saints for a game which could prove pivotal to his side’s hopes of a top-six finish.

As things stand, Hibs have that position within their grasp, but the Perth club have closed the gap to a single point with only three games remaining before the split.

However, the spectre of Covid-19 and the dangers it poses to everyone hasn’t been ignored, Hibs acknowledging the threat by holding their pre-match press conference within the indoor barn at their East Mains training centre rather than allow reporters and camera crews into the inner sanctum of the premises, with proceedings conducted at a distance of two metres.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Having insisted football takes second place to trying to keep the nation healthy, Ross admitted his focus was also on trying to ensure his players can bounce back from the defeats by Hearts and Aberdeen which have put Hibs’ top-six place in jeopardy.

He said: “For us it has been business as usual, albeit in a slightly strange scenario. I think it would be fair to say that, for everyone, it has been a little surreal. It is a fluid situation that has changed quite quickly – and I’m guessing could change again in the coming days.

“It’s strange. For everyone it’s been a bit unusual because people are caught in this limbo and it’s about trying to make sure we still retain a focus on the game.

“We’ve prepared as normal and as consistent as it’s always been. We understand the importance of the game. It sounds daft saying that when I’ve just said it’s not that important, but we’ve got to continue to look at it that way.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It could be that after tomorrow the dynamics change in terms of the league or the games that follow. But for the moment we’ve got to try and be professional about what we do and try and win the game.”

No coronavirus tests at Hibs

Ross revealed that Hibs haven’t conducted any tests as yet, but added that if any player shows symptoms they’d be examined, saying: “It hasn’t really changed an awful lot for me, if I’m being honest.

“There are others at the club who have a lot more responsibility in terms of putting procedures in place to decrease the possibility of infection.”

St Johnstone snatched a draw thanks to a last-minute equaliser from Jason Kerr on their last visit to Easter Road, a time when Ross’ predecessor Paul Heckingbottom was in charge, a rare point in what was a torrid start to the season for Tommy Wright’s side.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The McDiarmid Park club enjoyed just two wins from their opening 15 league games which also included a 4-1 defeat at home shortly before Ross took the reins at Easter Road.

Their form, however, has improved remarkably since the beginning of December, just two defeats in their last 15 Premiership matches, a fact Ross readily recognises. He said: “Tommy’s shaped his squad and his team over a period of time and I think that when you do that you have a transitional period.

“They had that at the start of the season but they came through it. They’re a good side with good players and the run they’ve been on is deserved. There isn’t a lot between a lot of the teams in the league, we see that week in, week out.

“For us, we understand that winning gives us that breathing space to make sure we finish in the top half.”

Gullan recognition

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Without Marc McNulty as he completes his two match suspension, Ross will again pair Jamie Gullan with 18-goal Christian Doidge in attack, the 20-year-old having been called into the Scotland Under-21 squad for the first time only days after starting his first match for Hibs.

And, insisted Ross, the youngster deserves the recognition, saying: “For a young man to have scored his first goal, made his first start and then get his first under-21 call up in a short period of time is terrific.

“I’m pleased for him, he has grasped his opportunity, which is all you can ask.”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.