Hibs manager Jack Ross seeking clarity as he plans talks with midfielder Jackson Irvine over intentions to stay or go

Hibs midfielder Jackson Irvine will sit down with manager Jack Ross within the next few days to size up whether he has a future at the club.

The 28 year-old Australian international arrived at Easter Road in January desperate for some first team action after quitting Hull City in June and suffering an even more prolonged period without competitive action due to lockdown.

Signing a short-term deal with Hibs, the move north was seen as mutually-beneficial. But that contract is due to expire at the end of the season and the upcoming international break has been ear-marked for discussions about what happens beyond then.

“When I mentioned about him coming here at first and what we both hoped we would get from it, I think we’ve had that thus far,” said the Leith manager, “and, we’ll continue that in the remaining games.

Hibs manager Jack Ross wants to get an idea of Jackson Irvine's long-term plans as the Easter Road club plan for next season. Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group

“But I had a chat with him [on Friday] and I’m going to catch up with him in the early part of next week to get a clearer indication where everything’s going to be at.

“Again, like the situation with Ofir [Marciano, the Hibs goalkeeper who has rejected a new deal], it’s just about giving clarity to it. Similar to Ofir, whatever his future plans might be, positive or negative, won’t have an impact on how he’s judged at the moment because he’s been very good for us. But, as we edge towards late March, as a club we need to know exactly where we’re going to be.

“Hopefully over the course of the next few days, after the Livingston game, we can start to have a clearer indication of that.

“I’m hopeful in the respect that he’s enjoyed it. He’s been part of a successful group and if we achieve our aim of playing in European football, it’s another attraction, and the city he’s staying in, there’s a lot of things in our favour.

“But we’ve never really sat down and spoken properly about where he sees himself moving forward. That’s something he’s got control over but I can try to influence the best way I can in terms of Hibs and I’m looking forward to having that chat with him in more depth at the beginning of next week.”

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