Jack Ross: St Mirren's Covid-19 situation had no impact on Hibs win

Ross hails Hibs side after convincing win in Paisley
Jack Ross applauds a good passage of play from his team during Hibs' 3-0 win at St MirrenJack Ross applauds a good passage of play from his team during Hibs' 3-0 win at St Mirren
Jack Ross applauds a good passage of play from his team during Hibs' 3-0 win at St Mirren

Hibs head coach Jack Ross insisted the coronavirus disruption that forced St Mirren into scrabbling around for an emergency loan goalkeeper on Friday night had no impact on his side’s 3-0 win in Paisley.

Goals from Kevin Nisbet, Joe Newell, and Martin Boyle handed the Easter Road side a convincing victory against the Buddies, who fielded Hearts ‘keeper Zdenek Zlamal in goal after signing him on loan on Saturday morning.

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Jim Goodwin was without No.1 Jak Alnwick and back-up Dennis Lyness, while third-choice ‘keeper Peter Urminsky was also advised to miss the match.

But the Hibs boss felt his side were worthy of their convincing win.

Ross said: “I can’t say there wasn’t an impact on Jim’s preparations because I went through that a few weeks ago and it is a hindrance.

"But I don’t think it was a factor in our performance and the manner in which we won the game. I don’t think that played any part.

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"In our preparations we had tried to ignore the noise around about the game but even last night I knew that there was potential for something we didn’t do to come around that would affect the game.

"But it was good that we prepared in that manner and I think we started the game well and it helps if you have that platform to build on to go on and win the game.

“Even pre-match when we knew that it was Zlamal that was in, we didn’t really speak about it.

"We know he is a more than capable goalkeeper so we just took it out of the equation and looked at what we knew would be there, in terms of the rest of the team, and how we go about that.”

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The Easter Road head coach also had some words of praise for his attackers after watching his side struggle to break down St Johnstone and Aberdeen.

Ross added: “Jamie Murphy gives us a different dynamic. He picks up more narrow areas of the pitch and pockets than Martin Boyle does.

"Martin enjoys that width and it is a good balance to have between your two wide players. Jamie is a very, very good player and I have been hugely impressed.

"He is a really good player and I’m delighted to have him. His contribution today showed what he is going to bring to the club.”

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Hibs were looking to return to winning ways after Aberdeen ended the Capital club's unbeaten start to the season with a 1-0 win at Easter Road just before the international break, and Ross revealed he had been optimistic about getting a result against St Mirren.

He explained: “I had a good feeeling about today because of the way they have been training all week.

"Every time we win a game I am delighted for them because I know what they give me every day.

"The record since November last year has been brilliant. They are such a good group of players; the ones who are playing regularly and those who aren’t.

"I know what they are capable of and they are a good side, they have shown that consistently now and it is a case of keeping on doing it.”

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