Ross says players’ families feared for their safety

JACK ROSS says that concerns raised by the families of his players led to Hibernian requesting extra Coronavirus tests prior to their draw with Celtic last night.

The request from the Easter Road club was ultimately refused, and Ross insists that any players who missed out for his team did so through injury, rather than any misgivings about facing Celtic following their trip to Dubai.

But the Hibs manager says that his club had a responsibility to their players to ensure their safety prior to the match.

“The difference, compared to previous occasions this season, is that the prevalence of the virus means it’s the first time that players’ families have expressed concerns to the players themselves,” Ross said.

“And that changes the dynamic slightly. As responsible employers, that will force you seek reassurance.

“In terms of the football side, they were always focused on that. But they were well within their rights to express any concerns they had.

“My responsibility is always to my players. I have a responsibility to look after them

“That’s all we did today. And we were well within our rights to do so. It was a strange build up, we can’t ignore that.

“No one declined to play. Anyone who missed out was through injury.

“I don’t think any of our players didn’t want to play, but in the current environment we are living in has probably made family members more anxious than they have been in the past.”

Ross was frustrated not to win against an understrength Celtic side, but was consoled by Kevin Nisbet’s late equaliser. He is now looking forward to concentrating on football again.

“From teatime yesterday to pretty much before kick- off, it’s been full- on,” he said.

“It’s not something I would like to repeat in terms of conversations and potential scenarios playing out. It would be nice to be just a football manager again.”