Jack Ross confirms that Hibs will continue to ‘plug away’ until transfer window closes

Hibs’ Head Coach Jack Ross refused to discuss the bid for St Mirren’s midfielder Kyle Magennis or the reported interest in Motherwell youngster Alan Campbell but did confirm that the club are hoping to bring in at least one played before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of tonight’s game against Hamilton Academical, Ross said: “We will continue to try and identify players of a certain profile to improve and strengthen us and we will keep doing that until we get the right ones in.

“I am confident in our ability to get another player in. We are pretty small in numbers at the moment but I like that and I think it’s worked well for us. We could certainly do with one other coming in but we have been really diligent about our recruitment so far and we have to make sure it’s one that will improve and strengthen us.

“We will continue to work hard to do it. We haven’t managed to do it yet but we will keep plugging away till the close of the window but if we don’t I have a squad that I’m pleased with.

“We have reduced the numbers in the squad and that has enabled us to try and bring in quality.

“It’s all relative. Loads of other teams sign players and there are teams have signed a lot more players than us.

“It depends how you add up the total cost of that. If you look at it as a total wage spend as opposed to a fee there might not often be much between it. We have had to be clever in what we have done.

“I am pleased we have been able to go and speculate a little bit and that’s where the chairman has been very good.

“He recognises the importance of taking some calculated risks in how we move the club forward and how we try and create resale value in the future  for some assets because the club has done successfully in recent times with John McGinn.

“I think it’s a good model but you have to have an ownership that backs that and Ron has done that so far.”

Ross was also happy to see young defender Ryan Porteous selected for the Scotland squad after an impressive start to the season.

He continued: “I am delighted for him. I think it’s testament to his performance level this year and the maturity he has shown. It’s well deserved. I know he has had that taste of it recently and I think he has had to work hard to get that opportunity again.

“It’s a good reflection for us as a club and for where we are at the moment.”