THE EREDIVISIVE

Former Rangers winger Huistra insists Dutch chiefs had

JACK ROSS hopes his Hibs squad has the wherewithal to withstand any financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Easter Road manager has just three players who are out of contract this summer – Steven Whittaker, Vykintas Slivka and Adam Bogdan, as well as loan players Greg Docherty, Marc McNulty, Stephane Omeonga and Jason Naismith, whose agreements are ending.

With uncertainty over how the global health emergency is going to affect clubs’ cash flow, it remains to be seen if budgets will stretch to new signings.

But Ross is convinced a lack of fresh faces will not hit the capital outfit too hard, because departures can be kept to a minimum. He said: “There’s so many uncertains and unknowns at the moment, not just in terms of time-frame but also what position every club will be in.

“So, it’s made it challenging to be able to press on with exact plans. But having only three out of contract is a pretty good position to be in because it gives us a pretty high degree of stability and it would mean that, if it is more challenging to recruit, we’re in a stable position.”

Meanwhile, Ross has hailed supporters for rallying round the club during the current crisis. Hibs fans have snapped up more than 4000 season tickets, despite the uncertainty over when – and how – the new campaign will kick-off.

And the newly-launched strip, bearing the logo “Thank You NHS” has become the fastest-selling top in the club’s history. Ross added: “It has been remarkable.

“One, it’s a reflection of the size of the club but, two, it’s that incredible commitment that supporters show by doing that. And their love for the club is huge. To commit to purchasing season tickets in such large numbers when uncertainty remains is astonishing.”