Jack Ross keen to keep duo as Hibs boss speaks on contracts and Ron Gordon meeting

Both players are out of contract next summer

Daryl Horgan takes part in training at East Mains as head coach Jack Ross looks on

Jack Ross is hopeful that midfield duo Daryl Horgan and Joe Newell will extend their stay at Easter Road – but the Hibs head coach admits the current situation makes long-term planning difficult.

Both players are in the final year of their contracts with the Capital club, and Ross sees them as part of his plans going forward.

Speaking ahead of the Tuesday night trip to face Dundee United, he said there were “several players” he was keen to keep at the club.

"There’s Daryl Horgan, Joe Newell, guys who are playing a big part in what we’re doing at the moment.

"I think they appreciate the situation we’re in, and that that’s made it a little bit more difficult to plan too far ahead.

"If we can continue to do well on the pitch, that helps to progress matters off the pitch.

"The way Daryl is, temperament-wise, I have absolutely no issues about how he’ll continue to go about things and, if and when there’s an opportunity to extend his stay here, I’m sure we will do that.”

HIbs chairman Ron Gordon was at East Mains on Monday after flying in from the USA, and is expected to spend a bit of time with Ross this week after the coronavirus pandemic forced him to stay away from the club longer than he may have liked.

One topic that might come up in conversation is whether or not the club is in a position to supplement the existing squad with new faces, although the head coach is happy enough with the balance of his squad this season.

"We’ve always had quality and threat in the attacking areas, but we had a lot of similar types in the midfield, and we felt as if we needed to keep increasing the athleticism in the squad,” Ross explained.

"Ideally I would have maybe liked one or two more – and we’ll see how things progress over the coming weeks.

“We have streamlined a lot of aspects of the club, and we’ve streamlined a lot of aspects of our squad.

“I’m happy with where we’re at but as a manager, you are always looking. I think the time to strengthen is when you are doing well. That’s key.

"But the chairman and I will chat about other stuff as well. He's not a difficult man to get on with. He's good company."

Ross is also eagerly anticipating the Betfred Cup after yesterday’s draw put Hibs in a group with Dundee, Cove Rangers, Forfar Athletic, and Brora Rangers.

"I did look as the teams were coming out and the regional aspect has gone out the window for me - each one that came out seemed to get further away.

"Scotland is not an easy country to split geographically in terms of where the clubs are, but it's fine. It's not that much travelling and the challenge when it comes around will be fine for us.

“Dundee is a good club for us to play. The other opponents are tough as well so we'll look forward to it when it comes around but we have a lot of other fixtures to undertake before then."