Ross reveals that Hibees double act has its roots in Spain

Jack Ross is bringing sunshine football to Leith at the double.

The Hibs manager has decided to break the mould, and play with two strikers this season.

He was pondering the possibility of fielding strikers Kevin Nisbet and Christian Doidge together, and started researching trends in world football. Ross is a great student of the game, and noticed things were changing in Spanish football.

He said: “A lot of my playing days were with two strikers, and I can’t recall playing without two at my various clubs that often. “Interestingly enough, because I knew we were in a position to maybe do it this season, I was reading quite a lot about it.

“It emerged that more teams in the top flight in Spain played two strikers than in the English Premier League, whether that was a 3-5-2 or a 4-4-2.

“That goes against the grain of what people think. “There are aspects of football that are very cyclical. “In some of the Champions League games over the last two weeks, teams have played with two strikers.

“I think it’s still embryonic in terms of the partnership of Nisbet and Doidge. “Christian picked up an injury pre-season, so we didn’t have the chance to play them together. “The Livingston game was the first time we were able to do that.

“They’re still finding out about each other’s game. We’re still finding out about how to get the best out of them.” There will be games where Ross decides to play with just one striker. But, so far, the double-act has worked well.

The Hibees are unbeaten going into today’s game against St Johnstone, and have scored seven times. Ross added: “The tradeoff of playing two strikers is that you have to give up a body somewhere, whether it’s the middle of the pitch or in your backline.

“We have done both this season at times.

“It’s always about assessing what you have at your disposal, and trying to get your strongest team on the pitch in the strongest formation.

“The fact we have started the season positively, playing in the main with two strikers, has given us encouragement.”

Ross is always looking for new ways to improve himself and his team.

He said: “I genuinely love football. I’ve been a fan since I was four or five years old, and have been immersed in the game.

“That passion for the game would be there, even if I wasn’t working in it. “During the summer, I was tutoring the A Licence for the SFA, and I’m still doing some tutorial groups. “It was great working with the guys on the course because they could come up with something I’d never thought about before. “I enjoy speaking about football. We all have to adapt and learn as things go on.

“The first thing I look at after a Saturday is me, not my players.

“I look at what I asked the players to do, and how we prepared, before I question them. It’s good to reflect.

“It would be nice to get the opportunity to get out and visit other clubs, but I suppose that only comes when you’re out of work as a manager. “I’m not wishing that happens any time quickly!”