Hibs happy to pay the price of their step up in the rankings
THE reverse of the
Hibernian jersey is a pretty crowded space. Names, squad numbers and the logo of the club’s official gin partner all vie for attention.
Yet according to manager Jack Ross his players also have a huge target on their backs as they head into the new Premiership season — such is the price of success.
Last term, the Easter Road club ran out best of the rest behind the Glasgow duo and have made the retention of third place a minimum requirement this term.
As a consequence, Aberdeen, Hearts and double cup winners St Johnstone will see Hibs as the team to catch.
‘It goes with the territory but I much prefer to have it that way,’ says Ross. ‘I don’t think we should shy away from it. I know there will be teams who will look at what we achieved last year and have aspirations to do that themselves.
‘We were in that boat at the start of last season. We looked at the team who had finished third, the competitive nature of this league means you are never far away from someone wanting to do that to you.
‘I welcome it, I think it is good for the players to deal with that aspiration as well, but it is about standing up and producing under that kind of increased pressure, if you will.’
The close season has required patience from Ross as, barring the departure of Jackson Irvine to German side St Pauli, his squad is much the same.
Jake Doyle-Hayes and Daniel MacKay will add to the club’s squad depth, while American winger Chris Mueller is due to arrive from Orlando in the new year.
Yet the January window taught the manager that bids for some of his top players are likely as deadline day nears.
Hibs’ owner Ron Gordon held firm when Birmingham City made a pitch for Kevin Nisbet and Millwall tried for Ryan Porteous. Josh Doig and Martin Boyle could also be targeted towards the end of the month.
‘We have been patient in our recruitment, we have not done a huge amount,’ adds Ross.
‘Probably the pleasing thing is we have managed to keep a hold of everyone apart from Jackson Irvine.
‘We are aware that there is an unpredictable nature to what happens over the next month but to compete on multiple fronts you need depth.
‘We just need a little bit more in a couple of areas and once we get that I think we will be in a good place.
‘I think last season helped in terms of players not wanting to rush away from the club because they were part of something which, in the main, was pretty good.
‘They got a lot from that whether it was international recognition or being subject to interest from other clubs or new contracts.
‘All these things matter, whether it’s personal accolades or even just the newspapers saying nice stuff about them.
‘The fact we are back in European football and aiming to stay there season after season is a big thing too.’