Jack Ross: Hibs have something other clubs crave

Never out of the top four all season, Hibs’ victory over Livingston ensured that would be the minimum they could achieve this term.

Hibs manager Jack Ross embraces Christian Doidge at full time.

With that comes the guarantee of European qualifiers next season but they still have some pretty important targets to aim for and manager Jack Ross is thrilled to have a trio of top marksmen who appear to be in the mood to deliver just when the Leith side are depending on them most.

Another goal for Kevin Nisbet and for Martin Boyle as they wrapped up a 2-1 victory over Livingston took their combined goal return to 32 goals in all competitions. Add in Christian Doidge’s 11 for the season and it is no wonder their boss is in a buoyant frame of mind as the Leith side look to wrap up their league and Scottish Cup campaigns in style.

“I’ve encouraged others to get on the scoresheet but I don’t think you can complain when you have a front three contributing as many goals," said Ross.

“They have all contributed over the season but the good thing is they are in great form at the moment.

“They are in a good place and some of the play in the first half was terrific. Martin was just about unplayable.

“If they can get to the 50-goal mark as a trio it would be outstanding and it’s nice to be going into an important part of the season with players scoring goals.

“All clubs crave it and we are fortunate to have three match-winners in the side.

“It’s reassuring even when you are under pressure. We’ll need them with the high stakes games coming up.”

With three league games remaining, Hibs have their sights firmly fixed on third place.

“We’ve secured top four tonight, which at one point we might have been lauded before," said Ross. "But it kind of goes under the radar, even from me. I’ve not really talked about it inside because we’ve been there all season and we want to win a cup.

‘So I’m sure, in the fullness of time, we’ll sit back and reflect, say we’ve already done good things this season. But we want more. We want to achieve something that is very good – and we have the opportunity to do that.”

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