Ross encouraged by clear-the-air talks in wake Of damaging defeat
JACK Ross has revealed he instigated his players’ clear-the-air discussions after Saturday’s defeat to Aberdeen as his Hibernian try everything to find a solution to their worrying slump in form.
The 1-0 loss at Pittodrie was the Easter Road side’s third on the spin. Another reverse, against Celtic tomorrow night, would see them suffer four consecutive defeats for the first time since 2016.
Ross has confessed criticism of him and his players is par for the course during such a sequence, but is eager to stress that for a third of the match that sparked the run – the 2-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox – they were still being considered as potential title contenders.
Now sitting fifth in the Premiership table, eight points adrift of leaders Rangers and five away from city rivals Hearts, who remain unbeaten in second, the supporters are growing more restless and questioning Ross’s role in the downturn. However, the Hibs manager is adamant the “home truths and harsh words” that, according to Lewis Stevenson, were bandied about in the Pittodrie dressing room were very welcome as the capital outfit seek to spark a revival.
“I encourage debate from the players,” he said. “Not all players are comfortable with that setting but I also have it on an individual basis with them. I don’t mind being told that I am wrong or I am being criticised. I
might not agree with them but it doesn’t bother me.
“I think the boys trust in that and we have good communication. During stickier periods you need that openness as it allows you to express yourself.
“I instigated the chat at Pittodrie and I asked them to do it. I am comfortable with them having that chat but, by nature, I don’t think players are great at it. A lot of modern-day players don’t like expressing their opinions in front of the group, so you have to create the environment so they can do it.
“There are still some who won’t do it but it helps them to share their opinion. We think being open can help find solutions.”
Hibs failed to register a single shot on target against Aberdeen, despite enjoying 56 per cent possession. They
returned just three from 61 per cent in the previous week’s 3-0 defeat to Dundee United. It is a worrying trend from a team that has scored just two goals in their last four games, compared to 10 from their first four league matches.
“It’s about being balanced about it and not panicking when we have a group who, for a long time now, have created and scored plenty,” added Ross, who acknowledged the club’s error in failing to recruit back-up to Kevin Nisbet in the absence of Christian Doidge through injury.
“It’s about keeping the faith in our ability to get back to that bravery in possession, that real hunger in the final third.”
The return of Ryan Porteous from suspension will aid Hibs in both defence and attack, according to Ross, who, to prevent the pressure from being ratcheted up again, requires a positive result against a team that has not won in the league at Easter Road for an incredible seven years.
“If you don’t want criticism as a player or manager then go and work at a mediocre club without big expectations,” he continued. “I have been open about the expectations here. We know if we don’t hit them then we will get stick and I would rather have it that way.”