The Hibs’ players proved their ‘gaffer’ wrong yesterday with a superb victory over Motherwell at Fir park.
On Friday Jack Ross was critical of the SPFL awarding 3-0 defeats to teams who were unable to fulfil fixtures due to breaching Covid regulations pointing out that very few games, outwith Old Firm end with that score, particularly away from home then after a goalless first-half Hibs produced arguably their best 45-minutes of the season scoring three times and playing some wonderful free-flowing football.
After the final whistle Ross told Hibs TV: “It was a brilliant win. That margin of victory away from home was really pleasing.
“The first-half we weren’t that great but we gave ourselves a platform to get something from the game. In fairness to the players I asked them a lot of questions at half time and they answered each and every one of them brilliantly.
“They were excellent second-half in all aspects of their play and it’s been a really good afternoon for us.”
After making four-changes to the side Ross was also keen to praise a number of players who came into his starting XI and others who came off the bench.
He continued: “We had players playing today that haven’t had a lot of game time recently, Lewis (Stevenson) Melker (Hallberg) and Drey (Wright) and their contribution was brilliant and when you add in those that came off the bench, each and every one of them contributed, very obviously in terms of Christian (Doidge) and Stephen (McGinn) scoring and Jamie (Gullan) with his assists.
“Lewis had an eight-week period out and he came back in unbelievable condition which is testament to the work that my staff do and his attitude. He came back in absolutely in top condition. I was tempted to involve him sooner, even last week but we played a bounce game during the week and he was excellent. He looked really fit and strong and was terrific today.
“I’ve been fortunate. I’ve got a brilliant group here and through the course of the season they have proven that willingness to be part of the group and to do whatever they need to do to be part of things, so it’s a good thing for me to have as a manager.
“It’s always incredibly difficult for me not to pick Christian in my team because he has been brilliant for me. His contribution to the team is not always obvious in terms of when he is not scoring people would then see his unselfish work . His training was brilliant this week but I would never have any question about his attitude. He was right at it when he came on. He looked sharp and fit and I was delighted that he got his reward with his goal. It’s been a little bit frustrating in front of goal recently so I’m really pleased for him.
“Stephen (McGinn) is a good player. He’s been brought in to give us that option that we might need in games at times and he undoubtedly helped us win that game. He’s got quality and has played at a good level. He understands the game very well and he is popular with the players in the group. They are delighted for him that he scored today.”
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.
