How titles and end of season happens will happen .. right now I’m more concerned with seeing parents and our society getting back to normality for all
Jack Ross is as competitive as any manager in Scotland’s top flight.
So when football was halted a month ago due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Hibs gaffer was desperate to see the campaign played to a finish.
But now, there are more important things to worry about.
With football on the back burner for the foreseeable future, he’s also having to cope with not being able to visit extended family during the lockdown.
The 43-year- old still lives in Northumberland with his wife and kids despite losing his job at Sunderland in October.
He commutes to Hibs’ training ground on a daily basis.
And amidst the furore about how the season will finish, with Friday’s SPFL vote hanging in the balance after Dundee delayed their move, he’s more concerned about when he’ll get to see his parents or in-laws again.
Of course, football matters. It’s his livelihood and the game he loves. But at a time of worldwide crisis, it’s not top of his priorities.
Instead he would just like to drive up to his mum and dad’s house and have a cup of coffee and a chat with them.
As he reflected on a difficult few weeks, the Hibees boss told MailSport: “I’m missing my work.
“But there are a lot of things worse than spending every day with my wife and girls.
“I don’t mind that. I’m looking forward to getting back to work at some point but it’s nice to have that quality time with them.
“My stronger wish is that we just return to normality as society again as soon as possible.
“I would like to see my kids return to school, see their friends, do their activities.
“I’d like to be able to go and see my pa rent s and my in-laws. My mother-in-law turned 70 last week but she’s in Glasgow – so my wife and kids couldn’t go and see her.
“Everyone will have similar stories but I’d just like to see everything get back to normal as quickly as possible.”
Ross is being kept in the loop, as the powers that be at Easter Road are locked in video calls with fellow SPFL members and the Hampden hierarchy.
If the latest proposals put forward by the league do end up going through, the season would end prematurely with Hibs dropping a place to seventh, Celtic crowned champions and Hearts relegated to the Championship.
Ross has done a terrific job in Leith since taking over from
It’s still the unknown when we’ll come back .. whatever is decided it will be a positive as I’ll be back at work My mother-in-law turned 70 last week but she’s in Glasgow – so my wife and kids couldn’t go and see her. Everyone will have similar stories but I’d just like to see everything get back to normal. I am missing my work – but there’s a lot worse than spending time with my wife and girls
Paul Heckingbottom, getting the club back into the top half.
Whether it’s a continuation of this season or next , the manager can’t wait to get back on the touchline.
But he accepts people’s health is all that matters during this time.
He said: “Whatever is decided with football after this happens, it will be a positive – because it means I’ll be back at work.
“Whether that’s back to f inish the current season or back at work to start a new season, I’m honestly not really bothered.
“I will take whatever happens and then I’ll go from there.
“I’ve not given it much thought at the moment because of the situation that we find ourselves in.
“It’s still the unknown as to what we’ll come back to.
“Once we know, you can maybe allow your mind to drift that way.
“But I have enjoyed the short period we’ve had work ing at Hibs and obviously I’m just keen to try to improve on it.
“I’ll probably give that a bit more thoug ht when , and if, we actually know what’s fully happening.”
When he does get back, Ross bel ieves Hibs are getting a better manager than the one who lef t St Mirren for Sunderland in 2018 after securing a promotion in Paisley.
Ross didn’t do a bad job on Wearside either, taking them to the brink of a return to the Championship – only losing out in the play- off final at Wembley last summer.
He’s convinced that he’s a better gaffer for that experience at the Stadium of Light.
He said: “In every job I’ve been in, I’ve evolved.
“I’ve kept a consistency to how I try to work but equally had to adapt the different clubs I’ve been at and the different challenges.
“At the end of every season you reflect on how you did – and it’s the same when you come out of every job.
“You reflect not just on football management but your l i fe experience – it’s a great thing.
“If you had that knowledge before you went in, you would be all right, but you gain knowledge and experience as you go along.
“I faced many challenges at Sunderland and a lot were really good and positive.
“Some have helped shape me again as a manager and a lot are just good memories to have.
“You must continually try to improve. Part of that comes with experience and part comes from your own desire to improve on what you do.”