Jack Ross has say on prospect of Hibs winter break ahead of busy festive period

Jack Ross helps clear snow off the training pitch prior to Hibs training at the HIbernian Training Centre

But while previous seasons have included a period of warm-weather training in Spain or Portugal, Hibs won't be jetting off to sunnier climes at the turn of the year.

Head coach Jack Ross spoke on Friday of his “disappointment” at the way the SPFL had handled Celtic's request to push back the Scottish Premiership meeting between the two teams from January 9 to January 11 to fit in a training break of their own in lieu of a scheduled winter shutdown for the top flight, but confirmed his own squad would be put through their paces in East Lothian.

Agreeing that December presents a good chance for Hibs to get some points on the board, Ross said: “It’s a big part of the season for us but also any four, five, six-week block could fall into that category to have a good season.

“This is an important stage but the next game or next block then becomes the most important one.

"We know we have a busy schedule but they are games that are important to us, and then you add a Betfred Cup quarter-final into that as well.”

However, on the same day he mucked in to help shovel snow off the pitches at Hibs' Ormiston training complex, Ross added: “No [plans for a winter break].

"We just have to hope it’s sunny at East Mains - it will be the only way we see that big yellow thing in the sky.”

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