Hibs hero Rob Jones hails transformation under Jack Ross and assesses Ryan Porteous potential

Former Hibernian player Rob Jones, pictured at Easter Road in 2014, took in the 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen on Sunday as a guest of Hibs TV. Pic: SNS Group Craig Williamson

Hibs legend Rob Jones reckons Jack Ross has transformed his former side for the better after watching Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Aberdeen.

The giant defender was among the select few inside the stadium for the closed doors Premiership match after being invited to appear as a guest on Hibs TV.

It was the Englishman’s first visit to Easter Road since November when he took in a 3-1 win over Motherwell in what was also Ross’s first game in charge.

And despite being on the losing end this time around, Jones could see the positive progress made under the former Sunderland and St Mirrenboss.

“I can only compare it to Jack’s first game in charge and it was a completely different game,” said the former centre-back. “The tempo was much quicker, the players looked much fitter, much more organised, and it was a complete contrast to the November game.

“Allied to that they’ve only conceded two goals all season, both from the penalty spot, so obviously they are doing something really well.”

Jones, who captained Hibs to League Cup glory in 2007, scoring the opener in the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock in the final, believes fans should be encouraged by their team’s start to the season.

“They have a basis and a platform to build form,” he said. “Yeah, they lost the game, but anybody out there would have taken four wins, a draw and a loss in the opening six games.

“You look at that and the glass is half full rather than half empty.”

Jones, now 40 and working as a part-time coach with Middlesbrough youth academy, was impressed with the Hibs backline, which featured the same Paul Hanlon he helped nurture through his debut aged 16 in 2008.

“He’d just broken in at left-back when David Murphy left to go to Birmingham, so he’s been there a long time, like Lewis (Stevenson),” Jones said.

“He was talented when he first came through, and in the same mould as Lewis in that nothing really fazed him, he just got on with his job, was very quiet, and not very outspoken.

Those were the two who were really focused on what they wanted out of the game.”

Now another young defender is breaking through at Easter Road and Jones, who is looking for an opportunity to coach at senior level, gave his assessment of Ryan Porteous’ man-of-the-match performance against Aberdeen.

“He did well. I’ve seen him a couple of times and he’s quite dominant in the air,” he said. “But when you play in the middle of a back three it’s not really your game to go win things in the air. You’re the one that covers, receives the ball from the goalkeeper, and provides insurance. But he did really well. The back three did particularly well.”

Jones also gave his thoughts on whether the current Scotland Under 21 centre-half has the potential to become a full internationalist.

“Only time will tell on that. I’m sure right now he’s going in the right direction,” he added. “He’s playing regularly for Hibs which is a positive for him. He’s got Paul Hanlon beside him, and big Marciano behind him who are both very experienced.

“He’s around good players with a wealth of knowledge so it’s up to him to tap into that and perform the way he has been previously week in week out.”

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