ROSS WARNS PLAYERS THEY CAN’T KEEP FALLING SHORT

Jack Ross has railed against the idea of his side becoming known as nearly men but after Hibs slipped up at the semi-final stage of a national cup competition for the third time in a row, the manager said things will have to change.

“We don’t want to be perennial semi-final losers,” said Ross, pictured inset, who was at the helm as the two most recent cup runs floundered.

“I have said I am disappointed by the way some players reacted [to going behind against St Johnstone in the Betfred Cup semi-final] and I will reflect on that in the cold light of day. But you can’t continually get to this stage and fall short.”

Ross admitted the performance on Saturday raised questions about the big-game mentality of some players, but he said there is no time for anyone at the club to feel sorry for themselves, an opinion echoed by Scott Allan.

The 29-year-old, who returned from a fivemonth absence necessitated by a private health matter, said it was important that he and his teammates now offer the right response, but acknowledged it would take more than a bold display against Rangers at Easter Road on Wednesday to win over disgruntled fans.

“It’s a chance to go and get a result but we’re not going to make the fans happy by winning a league game after losing two semifinals in the one season. It’s very disappointing from a club perspective,” he said.

“We need to show a bit of character now, big time. It doesn’t get any easier, Rangers are in really good form as everyone knows. So, we’re going to need to put our bodies on the line on Wednesday night.”