Sweet 16 up to you now boys, says Jack
JACK ROSS has challenged his Hibs players to end a 16-year pursuit.
The Easter Road club enjoy a six-point cushion over Aberdeen in third spot after their come-frombehind win in Dingwall.
Not since 2005 have Hibs finished third and Ross wants his troops to give themselves a real shot at a lengthy European run.
He said: “It is ours to win and ours to gain. This club hasn’t finished in third place too often in its history.
“The players are in a position to do something really good and deserve a lot of credit for that.
“If they do it, they will have gained it and nobody will have handed it to them. It is ours to achieve.”
His counterpart John Hughes accused Martin Boyle of diving to win a penalty for Hibs’ equaliser.
And Yogi went further in claiming he should have been sent off for diving later on when already on a booking. But Ross said: “I don’t think he conned the referee. I’ve seen it.
“He turns the wrong side of the defenders. I thought it was a penalty but people will have different opinions.
“I certainly don’t think he dived.”
Kevin Nisbet’s first goal since being denied a move to Birmingham in January proved decisive, taking him to 14 for the season.
And Ross said: “Kevin is just desperate to play. He was subject to significant interest. For a young player, that was head turning but there was never any issue for either Kevin or the club.
“He knows he can be part of a team that finishes third and he’s edging towards 15 goals, towards the top scorer in the league. If he does that, I’m sure there will be opportunities again.”