The Lions are Livi-ng proof of where hard work takes you
Hibs manager Ross highlights his admiration for old foes as he gets set to face them again
JACK ROSS has seen Livingston’s incredible rise first hand, having battled them all the way from League One to a scrap for European football.
His Hibs side host Gary Holt’s men this afternoon, knowing a win will see them leapfrog the Lions into fifth place as they chase down Motherwell and Aberdeen in the quest for a Europa League slot.
It’s changed days from when Ross was previously slugging it out with the Lions.
His Alloa side finished a distant second to Livi at the end of the 2016/17 League One season but the roles were reversed a year later when Ross’ St Mirren team left them trailing as they won the Championship title. The Buddies were then joined by Livingston in the top flight when the Lions beat Partick Thistle in the play-offs to secure promotion. Ross now finds himself slugging it out with Livi once more in the top six of the Premiership. And having worked his way up to the top tier as a player and manager, Ross is pleased to see they’ve found success following a similar path.
He said: “I had a playing career where, although I had been at Dundee, I really started properly with Clyde in the lower leagues.
“Then as a manager I was with Dumbarton and Alloa so I know first hand there is quality within those leagues.
“In terms of players, coaches and managers, it is difficult to get that opportunity at the higher levels.
“You have to be good enough but equally you have to be given the opportunity.
“So to see the players that have been on that journey with Livingston still there is pleasing.
“The fact they are enjoying being successful Premiership players is testament not just to their ability but also their strength of character that they have been able to go on that journey as well.
“There are loads of different paths you can take towards being a top-flight player and I know that first hand.
“It is nice if your career just goes in an upward trajectory or if you can start high and stay in that position. But the reality is there are lots of different ways and guys like Scott Pittman are an example of that.
“He’s a guy who has played junior, a level I played at, and has gone back to playing in the Premiership. That is pleasing and also offers hope to other players as well.”
Ross admits that scouring the
lower leagues for rough diamonds isn’t something Hibs have really done.
But it’s a market he’s keen to plunder if possible.
He said: “I am a big advocate of that and if you speak to anyone around this club they will tell you that it is close to what we are looking to do moving forward.
“It is an area which I’m not saying we have neglected but going forward we need to make sure we cover all bases because there are good players down the leagues.
“They maybe won’t grab as many headlines as players from another league or another country but there are good players out there.”
One player who hasn’t had to work his way up the league is Efe Ambrose.
The Nigerian international signed an 18-month deal with Livingston this week and could make his debut on his return to Hibs today.
Paul Hanlon was his defensive partner over two years at Easter Road and while he knows the quality Ambrose possesses, he is also well aware that he has some bombscare moments as well.
He said: “There were times when he played some unbelievable stuff for Hibs and then other times he has his wee slack moments which most defenders do.
“When he was really on it he was a composed, fit, fast, strong defender and some of his best moments were probably late on in his Hibs career.
“When you go into games you know who you’re playing with. I knew what kind of things he liked to do so you adjust accordingly really.”
Despite Ambrose having played in the World Cup, Champions League and picking up an African Cup of Nations winners medal with Nigeria, did Hanlon feel able to have a go after those slack moments?
“Definitely, aye,” he replied. “There would be something wrong if you couldn’t shout at him. He wasn’t that good that he was untouchable.
“He’s a good player but it doesn’t matter who’s playing for Livingston, we want to make it as difficult as we can for them.”
JACK ROSS ON CLIMB UP THE LEAGUES You have to be good. To see the players that have been on the journey with Livi still there is pleasing