Hibs' Jack Ross predicts more goals from strikers as he explains absence of trio

Marc McNulty and Christian Doidge netted against Ross County. Pic: SNS

Hibs boss Jack Ross has predicted there will be plenty of goals to come from Marc McNulty and Christian Doidge after his strikers paved the way for a comfortable win over Ross County.

McNulty, a hat-trick hero in the Scottish Cup victory against BSC Glasgow, had the Easter Road side ahead after only seven minutes, with Doidge adding his 16th goal of the season before half-time.

And although McNulty saw his spot-kick saved by Staggies’ goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, defender Adam Jackson powered home a late header to underline the Capital outfit’s domination over the 90 minutes.

Head coach Ross said: “I’m delighted for a couple of reasons. One, when you play well and win the game you’re pleased.

“But with the schedule we have had, eight games in 25 days, to produce that level and performance under those circumstances was really pleasing.

“We’ve had very little time on the training pitch recently so it’s not like we can stand here and say we’ve constantly worked at it.

“What we have done is thrown Marc and Christian together and looked for a way to have the two of them in the team and see if it works.

“And I think they’ll get better, I think there’s more to come, but if you look at their goal contribution over the two games you can’t be anything but pleased.

“I think the attributes they have always suggested they would be good together.

“They offer us different strengths and that probably doesn’t happen that often now, but traditionally front twos had those different attributes.

“The early signs are good.”

Ross, who rested Lewis Stevenson and Steven Whittaker while Melker Hallberg called off sick, was also happy with the contribution of on-loan Rangers midfielder Greg Docherty, saying: “Greg has been excellent from the first minute he stepped on the pitch against St Mirren.

“He’s been everything I expected he would be. I was fortunate in that I got to see him last season at Shrewsbury when we played them with Sunderland he was really good, he’s a good

player.

“He’s something we needed in the team and he has brought that to the squad and I think he is loving his football, too, which is terrific for me.”