Jack: There is a real hunger to complete the Scottish Cup
Hibs boss Jack Ross has urged the SFA to finish last season’s Scottish Cup campaign behind closed doors.
Although the SPFL called all the 2019-20 leagues with fixtures still outstanding, the Association publicly stated its determination to complete its flagship competition.
Two semi-finals – Celtic v Aberdeen and Hearts v Hibs – remain to be played along with the showpiece Final.
The g ov e r n i n g b o d y, desperate to get as many fans in to the matches as possible, have effectively been waiting out the Covid-19 lockout.
However, with the phased return of supporters pushed back due to the rapidly-rising number of positive tests, Ross believes it is time to face up to the reality of changed circumstances.
“It’s quite an easy one for me,” said the Easter Road gaffer.
“Purely from a football point of view, if we think back to the first round we played in it, we spoke about winning the Cup, and that opportunity looked like it might be taken away from us when the season was called to a halt.
“If it had been voided, then fine. We would have accepted it and understood it. But once the decision was made to continue with it, we were delighted.
“I think for all four teams that remain in the competition, the hunger still remains.
“We would have hoped that it would be that showpiece event, with fans back in the stadium. But it is something we don’t really think about. It is more just having the opportunity to win the Cup.
“All of us were desperate to have supporters back in the stadium and we would much prefer that. But my job is to prepare us for football fixtures, and that one is no different.
“If the semi-final is played, but not in front of fans, then the experience will be very surreal but we have had that already.
“Take last week against Rangers. That was a massive game that would normally be full and, in terms of atmosphere and the intensity of that fixture, would have been terrific.
“But we played that one without fans, and I don’t think it affected things, In terms of entertainment, I think it was good and it is what it is at the moment.
“We can’t do anything about it. We just have to accept it and the opportunity to win the Scottish Cup remains for us. That’s the most- important thing to focus on.”
Ross, meanwhile, reiterated the club’s desire to persuade on-form goalkeeper, Ofir Marciano, to sign a contract extension.
He said: “We try to plan ahead as much as we can and in the current squad, I think – off the top of my head – just Ofir, Paul Mcginn and Joe Newell are the only ones comingtotheendofcontracts, which is encouraging.
“All you can ask of a player is that when he is in the last 12 months of a contract, make the club desperate to keep you, and Ofir is certainly doing that.”