Jack Ross keeps Hibs players occupied with tactical Zoom calls

Hibs head coach Jack Ross has been keeping his players on their toes during lockdown with optional video calls where they can do tactical analysis.

Ross invited his own coaching peers plus members of the Hibs squad to analyse tactics during Sunderland’s defeat on penalties to Portsmouth in last season’s Checkatrade Trophy final.

Ross was in charge of the Black Cats that day at Wembley - and admitted it was fascinating seeing his players’ response to what went on during the match.

“During lockdown I have been looking at things like training regimes and coming up with new things I can do,” said Ross.

“I have actually done a few Zoom calls with some of the boys.

“It is an optional thing for them if they want to come on and join myself and some of the coaching staff.

“I thought it might be good for the ones who maybe have a view to going into coaching when they finish playing.

“I gave them the Checkatrade Cup final from last year — when I was at Sunderland — to watch.

“We all then had a chat about what they all saw in the game and also what they would have done if they were the manager.

“Some of the boys actually came up with things I hadn’t even thought of.

“They were doing it in hindsight and they obviously knew the outcome but it was still really good.

“There were seven of them in the first session I ran plus the coaching staff.

Ross continued in an interview with The Sun: “I expected a few of them to do it. The likes of Lewis Stevenson, Steven Whittaker, Paul Hanlon and Darren McGregor — the ones who have a bit more experience.

“Joe Newell was on it as well. He is only 27, so a bit younger compared to the rest of the lads.

“The good thing was he wasn’t scared to voice his opinion and explain what he had seen and thought about the game.

“I liked that about Joe and I know myself I was an opinionated player in my time.

“I might have played in the wrong era, as I got myself into trouble on a few occasions over the years.

“No seriously, I like that players are confident enough to express an opinion in that way.

“We also did one on Sheffield United’s back three and all of the positives and negatives of that shape. It is just about trying to be creative and maybe trying to help some of the boys do something they haven’t done before.

“Also, from a selfish point of view, it gives me something to do as I have to get it all organised beforehand and then lead the call going through it.

“Everyone seems to have enjoyed it.”