We will bounce back in the strong run
Ross vow after McCrorie miss
JACK ROSS insists losing out on Ross McCrorie has only strengthened his resolve to keep improving his squad. Ross was disappointed to miss out on the Rangers midfielder – who looked set to join Hibs only for Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes to step in on Monday and get a loan deal that will be made permanent at the end of the season. And ahead of tomorrow’s trip to St Johnstone, the Easter Road boss said: “Now he’s Derek’s player, so it’s none of my business. “We want to try to keep improving our squad but weren’t able to do it that way so we need to try to find a way of doing that between now and October. “There are two ways of looking at it. You can be patient and maybe get the good ones that are taking their time. But equally, there’s also the risk you could miss out on the better players. “I’d always rather have our work done earlier. It’s been a challenging period for everybody in terms of restrictions on clubs and what they can do. “When supporters are starting to be allowed back into stadiums, it may be clubs start to emerge a little bit from that and do bits and pieces later on. “I’d only do it if I think it’s the right one but if there’s one tomorrow I could do, then I’d want to do it. If not, then we wait.” Ross reckons Hibs owner Ron Gordon has been given a stark introduction to the passion generated by football in Scotland after Celtic boss Neil
Lennon and Aberdeen’s McInnes reacted angrily to his comments hinting clubs should be hit with points deductions if their players breach Covid rules.
Eight Aberdeen players and Celtic’s Boli Bolingoli did just that and their managers weren’t happy at Gordon’s comments.
Ross said: “Probably because I don’t think he actually said exactly what people said he did, that was a nice introduction for him.
“When you strip it right back, he wasn’t quite as forthright as he was made out to be.
“As he’ll be spending some more time in the country, it was a nice introduction to how things happen.
We love a row, love a barney, love continuing to stoke that. I didn’t pay too much attention to it.”
Meanwhile right-back Paul McGinn says it was great to hear Stephen O’Donnell namecheck him as a potential Scotland international after last week’s 0-0 draw against Motherwell – but admits he gets the same chat from brother John.
McGinn said: “That’s very nice, I thought he was excellent as well!
“John is always on saying you can’t be far away now and that sort of thing. I try not to read too much into it since he’s biased.
“I’ll just keep playing well, because I’m at Hibs now there are more eyes on it and your chances increase don’t they? If I play well I’m sure Steve Clarke will be watching.
“John seems to think I should be there or thereabouts. I don’t think he’d keep hammering it if he didn’t think so. And you never know.”