Sympathy for the rivals: Ross left baffled by Hearts’ halt on training

HEARTS have found an unlikely ally in the form of Jack Ross, the Hibernian head coach, who has labelled the treatment of their Edinburgh adversaries as ‘contradictory and puzzling’.

The Gorgie side were ordered to cease training by Scottish football’s Joint Response Group (JRG) on Thursday evening despite being almost two weeks into their pre-season preparations.

That sparked a furious reaction from the Hearts hierarchy, who believe they are being punished for misdemeanours of players from Celtic and Aberdeen.

A farcical situation was exacerbated when it emerged that English club Hull City, including Ross’s former Sunderland skipper George

Honeyman, have been utilising Hearts’ Oriam training facility this week.

“I think it is very difficult to join the dots on that one and believe it makes any type of sense,” said Ross. “Especially given the fact that there’s now an English club training at the same facility.

“One of my former players is at Hull so I know they’ve been up here for a few days as part of their pre-season preparations. It’s contradictory, to say the least, and not that helpful to Scottish football.”

It is a rancorous situation which has a knock-on effect for Hibs, even if Jack Ross is yet to turn his attention to their Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts in the last weekend of October.

That monumental showdown at Hampden is one of the major reasons his Tynecastle counterpart, Robbie Neilson, ordered his charges to report for duty as early as August 3.

Asked whether the JRG’s call could benefit Hibs, Ross added: “I don’t pay attention in terms of their preparation and what they’ve got ahead of them. I’ve got enough to focus on here. But, in the broader picture, I do find it puzzling.”

Ross has played and coached in the lower reaches of the game, previously experiencing life at the likes of Camelon Juniors, Clyde and Dumbarton.

So his ‘enormous sympathy’ extends to all rungs of the Scottish ladder, with expensive and logistically challenging efforts to ensure a return to training for many clubs now rendered in vain until August 24.

“This is not only Hearts – but for other teams outwith the professional pyramid as well,” he added. “Many have been back doing socially distanced training and have had to put the brakes on their preparations as well.

“I have enormous sympathy because I’ve worked at different levels of the game,

HIBERNIAN V MOTHERWELL

ter attack. It’s a tough place to go too and we’ll expect a hard game.”

Kilmarnock boss Alex Dyer admits a positive start to the season can be made even better with a win, though.

Killie began their Premiership campaign with a defeat away to Hibernian before draws against champions Celtic and Ross County.

Dyer said: “It has been positive. Obviously we got beat in the first game and have had two draws.

“Overall the performances in the three games have been good and I look forward to that carrying on tomorrow, keep doing the same, keep playing well and hopefully a positive result.

“We are going in the right di“That’s rection, the boys are working hard, creating chances.

“When he fixture list came out we knew it would be tough. Hibs are a good side, they have proved that, they still unbeaten and I thought we did well.”

Mitch Pinnock, the new signing from AFC Wimbledon, who made his debut in the 2-2 draw in Dingwall on Wednesday night, is enjoying his early days in Scottish football.

The 25-year-old midfielder said: “I probably wanted to play at a higher level, earlier.

“Playing football is the best job in the world and I am glad to be back.

“The standard is so much better than where I was last season and I am really pleased to have made my debut.”