Testing time for hard-hit Hibs

HIBERNIAN are conducting Covid-19 tests daily in a bid to keep their coronavirus outbreak under control as they prepare to face Ross County tomorrow without as many as ten senior players. A coach and five players have so far tested positive, with two being identified on Sunday following the postponement of Saturday’s encounter with the Staggies in Dingwall. Another five players — Christian Doidge, Kyle Magennis, Melker Hallberg, Dan Mackay and Sean Mackie — were due to miss the weekend’s match through injury. With individuals being found to have the virus on both Monday and Wednesday last week, two more positive cases on Saturday, as well as their identified close contacts, left the Easter Road side without enough players to fulfil the fixture. It is understood that all tests conducted since Sunday have been negative. But manager Jack Ross still has a difficult task in piecing together a squad for the trip north and will almost certainly have to call on some of the club’s Under18 players. The capital outfit argued against having to play the rearranged match so soon, but chief executive Ben Kensell failed to convince the SPFL of the need for a longer postponement. Meanwhile, Hibs have issued a ‘no comment’ after one report accused players of breaching Covid rules in their hotel ahead of the County clash at the weekend.