Jack Ross still keen to bolster Hibs squad after Ross McCrorie transfer saga

Easter Road head coach keen to bolster midfield
Jack Ross is happy with how his team has started the season but still wants to strengthenJack Ross is happy with how his team has started the season but still wants to strengthen
Jack Ross is happy with how his team has started the season but still wants to strengthen

Hibs head coach Jack Ross remains hopeful of bolstering his squad after missing out on Ross McCrorie’s signature earlier this week.

The Easter Road side appeared to be in pole position to do a deal for the versatile defender-cum-midfielder, but the 22-year-old joined Aberdeen on Monday night on a season-long loan from Rangers, with the Dons set to buy the player outright next summer.

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After failing to secure McCrorie’s services, Hibs are likely to turn their attention to other options, although Ross is happy enough with his team's start to the campaign.

Ross said: “I've only ever spoken about another player when his parent club have mentioned him, and now he's Derek's player it's none of my business.

"We want to keep trying to improve our squad. We weren't able to do it this time, but we'll hopefully keep trying to find a way of doing that between now and October.

“I still think we need to improve in certain areas but I can't complain about the start we've had to the season."

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Ross has already added striker Kevin Nisbet and winger Drey Wright to his attacking options while Alex Gogic has arrived to fill the void in midfield left by Marvin Bartley’s departure last summer. However, he is still searching for a new cog in the engine room despite Gogic’s arrival.

Ross explained: “We still think we need something in the middle area of the pitch.

"We've got a lot of good footballers there but they're all similar types; Alex is the only one who is a little bit different.

“I'm not saying we necessarily want another player like Alex, but maybe something different to what we already have in there.

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"Versatility is always a bonus; somebody who can fill at least another one or two roles in the team.

“You create a profile but sometimes it's not easy to find a player who fits that profile but certainly positionally, that's the priority area for us at the moment."

There won’t be any panic-buying either, with Ross keen to get any moves completed well before the deadline.

Ross continued: “I would always rather have our work done earlier but it's been a challenging period for everybody in terms of adjustments at clubs.

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"If supporters do start being allowed back into stadiums then clubs might start to emerge a little bit from that and do little bits and pieces later on in the window.

“I would only do it if I think it's the right one, I think that's the key thing. If there was one tomorrow that I could do, and it was the right one, then I would want to do it but if it's not the right one, then we'll wait.”

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