Hibs manager Jack Ross can still find positives despite dropped points against 10-man Ross County

Hibs did all that their manager Jack Ross asked of them against Ross County, except put the ball in the back of the net.

Hibs boss Jack Ross during his side's Scottish Premiership match between Ross County. Photo by Bill Murray / SNS Group

“It’s a strange one because the result is the be all and end all and we didn't get the one we wanted but there were a lot of good things about today,” he said after his men had been forced to settle for a goalless draw, against ten men, in Dingwall.

Connor Randall was sent off late on for the home side for his cynical hauling down of Martin Boyle as the Australian international spearheaded a breakaway, but even with the numerical advantage, there was no way to break the stalemate.

That left Ross picking through the performance for the positives as he reflected on the switch of focus back onto the league following the distraction of international matches and Betfred Cup group games.

“I’m disappointed we didn't win the game but I was pleased with large aspects of the performance,” said Ross. “We came away from home and kept a clean sheet and did that comfortably.

“I don’t think Ofir [Marciano] had any save of substance to make and we created a lot within the game.

“I was critical of them at half time because I felt we started well but there were bits of the first half where we were sloppy and I reminded them of that, and, although in the second half we didn't create many clear cut chances, we responded well.”

While stressing that he is always looking for improvements, he accepted that few teams make it through a match without mini dips.

“You will very rarely play well for 90 minutes but for 70 minutes of today’s game we were good. Even in the other 20 minutes, we were still solid and didn’t look like we were going to concede. That’s what you need.

“Defensively we were good and creatively we were good, we just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

Describing Hibs as “a team that probably strike a bit of fear into the opposition with the attacking options that they have”, County manager Stuart Kettlewell was happy with the clean sheet. "We were clinging on a bit towards the end, so that's when you take your point and move on."