Hibs manager Jack Ross delivers positive squad update ahead of Betfred Cup semi-final

Hibs will head into this weekend’s Betfred Cup semi final in a far more “healthy position” than has been the case at other key moments throughout this campaign.

Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano is back in training and is one of several players forcing manager Jack Ross to make some tough selection choices. Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group

According to manager Jack Ross, who will lead his team into their second Hampden showdown in just over two months, the timely rehabilitation of some players, combined with the arrival of new faces, leaves him with more options than has been the case in earlier rounds of the competition, when a squad he describes as “skinny, in terms of numbers” was decimated further by international call ups.

That resulted in him being unable to fill the bench at times, or in coaching staff being drafted onto the list of substitutes.

But, they are far better placed for Saturday’s meeting with St Johnstone, as they look to book their first cup final place since 2016.

“We have the bulk of the squad back fit and healthy which is good,” Ross said.

“It’s another week’s training for Scott Allan, Ofir Marciano has returned to training and Joe Newell should hopefully be available. We are in a healthier position.

“As a manager you obviously want your full squad available to you but it is rarely the case, especially as the season unfolds. We have recruited Matt [Macey], Jackson [Irvine] and Chris [Cadden] and that has helped us in terms of the depth of the squad we maybe hadn’t had.

“That has coincided with a lot of players returning to fitness so we are in a good position, a healthy position going into a game of this importance.”

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