ROSS SALUTES DEMPSTER LEGACY

JACK ROSS believes Hibs will miss Leeann Dempster — but is also confident the chief executive’s departure will not hamper his plans for the January sales. Dempster (right) stepped into the breach to lead the re-organisation of the club after they were relegated in 2014. Within two years, she had presided over their first Scottish Cup win in 114 years. Promotion back to the top flight followed in 2017 and manager Ross believes that will be her legacy after announcing she is stepping down. Ross — who has guided his side to their current position of fourth having been appointed by Dempster midway through last season — said: ‘When I took the job, a new structure had just been put in place. ‘Graeme Mathie was named sporting director, which has meant my interaction with Leeann has probably been less with some previous managers. ‘However, that’s not to say her and I have not had a good working relationship and been in regular communication. ‘I knew Leeann to an extent before I came to the club and that was part of the attraction. I spoke to her on more than one occasion before joining and the opinion I had of her was only reinforced when I met her. ‘Her legacy will be the strongest thing when she leaves here, with the work she’s done and the success the club has had in that period, which includes winning the Scottish Cup. She’s leaving the club in a really good place and will be a big miss.’ But Ross is confident Hibs will not miss a beat when the transfer market opens in January, thanks to Mathie and club owner Ron Gordon. He said: ‘I spoke to Ron yesterday and I’m quite relaxed about it in terms of any impact on my side of things. That’s not to be flippant about Leeann’s departure, far from it. But I don’t see it having any major impact on our ability to do anything in January.’ Hibs welcome James McPake’s Dundee to the capital today for their Betfred Cup second-round clash. Ross’ team claimed a 4-1 win when the sides met in the group stages of the competition just two weeks ago.