Imitation game as Hibs boss Jack Ross aims to emulate Aberdeen consistency

Hibs boss Jack Ross is out to emulate and even eclipse Aberdeen’s achievements in recent years and, as part of that plan his players are out to avenge the defeat inflicted on them by Derek McInnes’ men earlier in the season.

Hibs manager Jack Ross and Aberdeen counterpart Derek McInnes hope they will have plenty to shout about when they face up again, this time at Pittodrie. Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group

“The players aren't daft, because we've not had that losing feeling a lot this season, it's easy to know when those defeats came around and players always want to show they are as good as, if not better, individually and as a team,” explained the Easter Road gaffer, who side still lead their Pittodrie rivals in the league, despite that head-to-head loss.

“It is more exciting going to Pittodrie knowing we are going to compete with Aberdeen to finish in that top two, three, four positions in the table, and that's a much better feeling than going there last season and being eighth and trying to scramble for something that takes you into the top six and not being near them.

“The fact that this takes place when we are competing with them shows improvement from us and we want to push that even further.

“I've got huge admiration for what Derek has done. Over a period of years, to consistently [finish near the top of the standings], is something I have spoken about here.

“This club has had success in terms of achieving silverware and it has had success, when I think back to Neil Lennon's tenure, of finishing very high up the table but it has not been able to do it season after season after season.”

Lennon followed up Alan Stubbs’ Scottish Cup success, in 2016, with promotion the following year and then delivered a Europa League spot the year after but form and results dipped in subsequent seasons,

“Even when you think over the last 10/15/20 years it has not been able to do that so that is why I came to the club – to try to do that,” added Ross, who has improved Hibs’ league standing and taken them to the latter stages of the Scottish Cup in his first year at the helm.

“That takes a period of time to deliver that but there is nothing wrong with us trying to replicate what they have done in recent times because they have been successful in doing so.”

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