Hibs boss refuses to tinker as key pair miss out

Hibs head coach Jack Ross insists Kevin Nisbet and Ryan Porteous’ continued absence from the first team is simply down to the fact that the side are winning.

The pair have been omitted from the last three starting lineups amid intense speculation surrounding Nisbet, the subject of a reported £3 million bid from Birmingham, and Porteous, who was wanted by Millwall, at the end of the January transfer window.

Former Raith Rovers and Dunfermline attacker Nisbet, in particular, was unsettled by the interest after handing in a transfer request on deadline day in a futile bid to force through a move to the Championship side.

Hibs have fared well without two of their prized assets after claiming victories over Dundee United, St Mirren and Aberdeen with the same starting XI.

Ross, whose side are five points clear in third spot ahead of Saturday’s trip to Ross County, admits he is reluctant to tinker with the side.

Ross said: “They’ve been fine – initially there was a lot of speculation when we left them out of the first game at Tannadice.

“On the back of that the players who came in have performed really well and I’ve always worked that way that players deserve to keep possession of the jersey if they are performing well.

“They’ve understood that and to be fair to them they have been vocal in their support.

“I can hear Ryan from behind me in the technical area how much he wants Hibs to be successful and Kevin the same.”

Ross is hopeful that midfield pair Alex Gogic and Jackson Irvine will recover from shoulder knocks in time for the trip to Dingwall.