Jack Ross concerned Hibs are becoming 'ever so slightly soft again' - but one defender hailed

Jack Ross admitted that he has again been given cause to worry about a defence that is reprising some of the vulnerabilities that plagued them last season.

Hibs manager Jack Ross had mixed emotions after his side drew with St Johnstone at Easter Road. Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group

However, he was delighted to see his right-back weigh in with two goals to ensure his team still ended the evening in third place, having fought back twice to earn a 2-2 draw against a tough St Johnstone side.

Paul McGinn netted the first of his double just a minute after the Perth side had established their first-half lead and he struck again in the final eight minutes to cancel out their guests’ second.

“I didn’t sign him for his goals or his banter,” admitted Ross, “but in training he has good quality in those tight area. He’s found himself in good areas here and I’m delighted for him.

‘It’s probably that tangible reward for his performance that he gets on the scoresheet.”

And, although his previous season’s best is three goals, McGinn’s manager now wants to see him get into dangerous areas more often.

“You obviously want him high up the pitch,” said Ross. “What he’s done as a player, he’s grown in his self-belief since he came to Hibs. He’s shown he can be a player of stature at a club this size. That shows how he feels about himself.”

Happy with individual performances, Ross was disappointed with the goals his side conceded.

“The positives are the character we’re showing,” he said. “The downside is we’re being easy to score against again.

“Ironically we’ve played better in possession over the last couple of months. It’s about getting both right. But we’ve become ever so slightly soft again. We need to change that.”

Having lost a two-goal lead against Celtic at the weekend, he was just as aggrieved to be the chasing team against St Johnstone, having twice allowed them to take the lead. Although, the fact his men were able to bounce back and leapfrog Aberdeen and retake third place eased some of his woes.

“When you’re behind twice against a team whose recent form is very, very good, under the circumstances there are some positives,” said Ross. “But in the main we’re frustrated because we want to win every home game. “