HIBS MANAGER ROSS CALLS FOR PERSPECTIVE

HIBERNIAN head coach Jack Ross insists he would have no qualms about the rest of the season being scrapped after emphasising the need for perspective in the face of the coronavirus crisis. Following discussions with the club’s medical staff, Ross is seeking to limit — or at the very least, manage — his players’ interactions with the outside world in a bid to ensure they are not directly affected by the illness. Yesterday the club’s weekly press conference was switched to the cavernous indoor pitch at their East Lothian training base, meaning the media did not set foot inside the main body of the building.

A situation which Ross described as ‘fluid’ continued to develop yesterday when First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recommended that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled, leaving Scottish football authorities to consider their next step. The worst-case scenario would be the complete cancellation of the campaign and, despite Hibs remaining in pole position for a top-six berth and with a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts to savour, Ross would accept that decision if deemed necessary. Notwithstanding the squabbles that may prompt in terms of which teams — if any — would be promoted, relegated and win titles, he says curtailing the spread of the virus is bigger than any sporting contest. ‘Initially there is that selfish thought of: “We are trying to do well in the league, we are in a Scottish Cup semi-final, and we want to play the games”, said Ross ahead of tomorrow’s visit of St Johnstone. ‘But, as time goes on, I’ve certainly become a lot more balanced. ‘This is bigger than us. I’ve got a wife, daughters and I can accept that the football side of things is secondary. ‘If all those big games get thrown in the bin in order to make sure we’ll come out of this okay, then so be it. ‘The health of individuals is what matters. A fluid situation has changed quite quickly, and I’m guessing it could change again in coming days.’ While there are no plans to lock fans out of grounds this weekend, it is understood an agreement to play matches behind closed doors is more likely than the campaign being called off. ‘A game behind closed doors would have a different feel,’ said Ross. ‘If anyone watched the PSG game on Wednesday, you can see it is different. Ideally, I wouldn’t want it, but I think everyone would say that. But if that is the only scenario that ensures we can deal with the issue, then I have no problem with it.’