HIBS STARS WANT PIECE OF THE ACTION

HIBERNIAN head coach Jack Ross is adamant that Scotland’s qualification for Euro 2020 can benefit his team, namely because at least three of his players will be desperate to be involved in next summer’s tournament. Defenders Ryan Porteous, Paul Hanlon and Paul McGinn were all part of last month’s squad but were overlooked for the current get together as the national team beat Serbia in Thursday’s nail-biting play-off final. Porteous is currently back with the Scotland Under-21s and Ross is in no doubt that the trio will be keen to make sure they are in Steve Clarke’s thoughts at the end of the season.

Ross (right), whose side take on Dundee in tomorrow’s Betfred Cup Group B top-of-thetable clash, said: ‘It’s something they will use themselves.

‘They’ve had a taste and what they mustn’t do now is believe it is not a possibility. ‘I have spoken about us as a club and a team this season, setting targets that are achievable.

‘If I was trying to encourage a player who had never been near Steve’s squad to use that as a carrot, I don’t think you’d get the buy-in. But the good thing with the two Pauls and Ryan is they have been there. ‘Undoubtedly, Steve’s group has made up the bulk of what the squad has achieved and they will be in pole position.

‘But there will be opportunities that arise and the only way you can make sure you are in a position to take them is by playing consistently well at club level. ‘So it’s something the players will use but equally it’s something I will use when I have individual discussions with them. ‘And I would be delighted if they saw that as a potential goal for them. ‘And, if they don’t achieve it, hopefully that will be down to the strength of the other options Steve has as opposed to them falling short through their own performance levels.’

• DUNDEE have signed goalkeeper Adam Legzdins on a deal until the end of the season. The 33-year-old has had previous spells with Burnley, Derby County and Birmingham City.