Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Ross holding no after his Easter
JACK Ross has revealed that Hibs owner Ron Gordon congratulated him following his appointment as Dundee United boss.
Ross, 46, has dismissed suggestions of lingering animosity with the capital club following his dismissal last December – just 10 days prior to the Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic.
It was a decision Ross vehemently disagreed with, coming mere months after he had led the Hibees to a third-place finish in the Premiership.
The Easter Road outfit subsequently lost 2-1 to the Hoops at Hampden and saw out a miserable bottom-six campaign under Shaun Maloney.
But rather than indulge in “I told you so” – or express a desire to prove Hibs wrong next season – Ross is adamant there are no hard feelings.
“It is funny when you leave clubs; there are a lot of things that float about,” said Ross.
“People throw things out there and they become ‘fact’ or ‘reality’. A lot of which, there is no truth in.
“I left Hibs and, although I didn’t agree with it, I left on good terms.
“I have had messages from the chief executive (Ben Kensell) and owner (Ron Gordon) since I took this job.
“That gives you an indication of where that relationship still lies. I wish no illwill on the club. It was a brilliant club to manage.
“There is certainly no feeling of bitterness or a desire to prove them wrong. I am too long in the tooth for that.”
Indeed, Ross sought to reflect and recharge following the painful dismissal, while working for the Scottish FA as part of their coach education courses.
“It was sore at first because of the timing of it and what was ahead in the weeks after (Premier Sports Cup final),” added Ross.
“But you move on from it and reflect – because if I had got everything right then my position would never be under threat.
“I had to think: would I have done anything differently? Behaved differently? Changed anything? Hopefully that makes you better.”
The former Sunderland and St Mirren manager has now bossed five clubs in seven years.
Dundee United, meanwhile, are on their third permanent manager since Robbie Neilson left the club for Hearts in 2020.
Suffice to say, a period of stability and consistency would suit both parties.
However, Ross knows better