Hibs’ Head Coach Jack Ross insisted that he was more concerned about what his players could do rather that the situation surrounding St Mirren’s lack of goalkeepers ahead of yesterday’s game in Paisley.
There was some doubt that the game would actually go ahead after both first choice keepers tested positive for coronavirus whilst the third was ordered to self-isolate having been in their company during training.
It looked as though goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield who has been retired from playing for three-years would be in goals however a late short term loan was agreed with Hearts for the services of ‘Bobby’ Zlamal.
In the end however Ross believes that Hibs would have won the game due to their excellent performance against his former club.
Kevin Nisbet opened the scoring in the 13th minute then three minutes later Joe Newell made it 2-0. St Mirren were denied a penalty when Ryan Porteous misjudged a cross and the ball struck his hand but Martin Boyle wrapped things up in the second half although there was a suspicion of handball in his goal.
Speaking after the final whistle Ross said: “I hadn’t brought the keeper situation up with the group and even pre-match when we knew that it was Zlamal that was in, we didn’t really speak about it. We knew he is a more than capable goalkeeper, so for us 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.
“Look, 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.
“In our preparations we tried to ignore the noise around 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.”
Ross also praised his wide players who caused the St Mirren defence problems all day.
He added: “We picked a team to have that attacking threat and to have deliveries from wide areas and we did that a lot.
“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.
“I am lucky that I get to work with players day in day out and sometimes that appreciation of a player doesn’t happen until you do that.
“Jamie is a really good player and I’m delighted to have him. His contribution against St Mirren showed what he is going to bring to the club.”
“Jamie is a very, very good players and I have been hugely impressed.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
