Jack Ross hails character of his Hibs players after coming through four games in ten days

Jack Ross celebrates after Hibs drew level against Dundee United

Hibs boss Jack Ross has paid tribute to his players’ character after watching them come through a gruelling schedule of four matches in just ten days.

Long-term injuries to Stevie Mallan, Ryan Porteous and Jason Porteous have left Ross with a threadbare squad as the Capital outfit faced a Scottish Cup tie – and replay – against Dundee United either side of Premiership games with Hamilton and Motherwell.

But they emerged from that run unbeaten having booked their place in the last 16 of the cup where they will face Lowland League side BSC Glasgow while also taking four league points to tighten their grip on a place in the top half of the table.

And head coach Ross believes his players should take belief and strength from their efforts. He said: “United was a difficult draw for us but over the course of the two games our performance level was good in the main.

“We created a lot of chances and scored four on Tuesday night. I have been there myself when you have a team used to winning, they are dangerous opponents and I am sure United would have come here believing they could win.

“It was our fourth game in ten days, or a game every two-and-a-half days so it was a tough schedule. We’ve tried to keep it fresh, made one or two changes without disrupting it and it’s testament to the players who have come in and those that have come on, they have all produced.”

Ross admitted he was looking forward to the match with BSC, like the United games against opposition Hibs don’t come up against in the league but, he insisted, all focus will be on the Premiership matches before then, at home to St Mirren on Saturday and then away to Rangers on Wednesday night.

He said: “I’ll look forward to it when it comes around. Our preparation will be as thorough as any other match. We will treat it the same way as any other opposition but we have a busy schedule and have two games before then.

“But when it comes around we will be respectful but confident as well.”