Ross rejects Murrayfield for Cup semi with Hearts
HIBS boss Jack Ross wants Hampden rather than Murrayfield to be the venue for his side’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Hearts.
The Edinburgh foes lock horns on Premiership duty at Easter Road this evening before doing it all again in the last-four tussle next
month. There have been calls to switch the Cup clash to the home of Scottish rugby to make life easier for capital fans.
But Ross said: “You want to lead a team out at Hampden as a manager and I think most players want to play there as well.
“I know Hampden has its critics as a venue but it still generates a terrific atmosphere when there is a passionate crowd.
“It still holds that allure for players and as a manager it’s no different.
“I was lucky enough as Sunderland manager to lead my team out twice at Wembley.
“It’s something I never got to do as a player and it’s something I never thought I would do as a manager.
“It was sore in terms of how the two games [Checkatrade Trophy and League One play-off final] went but it will live with me for a long time.
“The opportunity to take a team to the national stadium – hopefully twice in the same season – is something special.”
Ross also insists the 45-mile trek along the M8 is no hardship.
He added: “It’s interesting how we have these debates regularly and sometimes it’s to do with the size of the crowd or sometimes it’s about geography.
“But it’s not that difficult a country to get around. It’s not huge.”
Ross is looking forward to tonight’s battle after savouring a 2-0 win – thanks to Martin Boyle’s double – in his first experience of the derby on Boxing Day.
Hibs can move to within two points of third-place Motherwell with another victory, and Ross added: “They are special matches. You can’t help but get caught up in all of the excitement.
“For us, it’s about winning a game to take us closer to third place with the other teams not playing until Wednesday.”