'Other industries aren't chastised' - Hibs boss Jack Ross hits back at Nicola Sturgeon criticism
Insisting she is wrong to condemn an entire industry for the transgressions of individuals, he said the fact that only one member of his playing staff is currently self-isolating after contracting the virus at home over the weekend proves that clubs are adhering to protocols to minimise the spread.
Praising the work that has gone on behind the scenes, from testing, to social distancing around stadia and training grounds, as well as when travelling, the Easter Road boss said it was unfair for Ms Sturgeon to castigate the entire Scottish game for the choices of five Rangers players who broke lockdown rules by attending a house party last weekend.
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Hide AdOn Monday, Ms Sturgeon said in the wake of the Ibrox quintet’s rule breach: "So can I say to football and sport in general, please make sure your house is in order because it shouldn’t take me standing here to say to highly-paid footballers, ‘you’ve got to follow the rules’. It really shouldn’t take that, but the fact it does is hugely frustrating to me. I don’t care if it’s Celtic, Rangers, or any other club it’s not on so please stop breaking the rules."
Ross, however, explained what Hibs do to meet the regulations and queried whether other industries are “chastised” as much as football is when in the spotlight.
“The club has put a lot of effort into it and make sure that we are very clear on what we need to do,” said Ross. “If there is a positive test, that limits the fallout. From the number of buses we have when travelling, to seating arrangements in the dining room and ensuring everyone has individual rooms when we are away, everything is looked at. We work hard to make sure everything is in place so they don’t deviate from the rules.”
But he said that, with the best will in the world, “like every other walk of life, it is not foolproof in any way”.
“Football is a profession and I don’t think you can legislate for the behaviour of individuals, in any line of work,” continued Ross.
“But, when it’s football, and I’m not just talking about covid, any misdemeanour by any group or individuals is seen to reflect badly on the whole industry and I’m not sure that’s the case when it’s other professions and someone does something that is seen as inappropriate. I’m not sure that entire industries are chastised as much as when it is football. I find that a bit peculiar.
“It is not even the clubs, it is the whole industry, which is very much the exception to what happens when something goes on elsewhere.
“We can’t control someone 24/7. People make their own individual decisions and I don’t really understand why the whole industry should be threatened with the consequences of that. It should be that individual who takes responsibility.”