Jack Ross: I want to lead Hibs out at Hampden, not Murrayfield – twice

Jack Ross intends to lead Hibs out at Hampden on two occasions before the end of the season as debate continues about the venue for next month’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

Hibs head coach Jack Ross addresses the media ahead of the Edinburgh derby at Easter Road. Picture: Bill Murray/SNS

BT Murrayfield is a potential alternative venue but it’s highly unlikely the SFA will sanction moving the high-profile tie in their flagship tournament from Hampden. Ross is happy with that and plans to return to the national stadium in May after overcoming Hearts in the last four. The teams play an equally important league clash against each other at Easter Road tonight.

This year’s Scottish Cup final has been brought forward to the penultimate weekend of the season – 9 May – because Hampden is one of the host stadiums for Euro 2020.

Ross enjoyed taking Sunderland to Wembley on two occasions last season. Both times sadly ended in defeat, crushingly so in the case of the latter game when the Wearside team lost to a last-minute goal against Charlton Athletic in the League One play-off final. They also lost to Portsmouth on penalties in the Football League Trophy.

Ross contends that playing or managing at a national stadium has a special “allure”. Hibs have the chance of playing at Hampden on two more occasions this season. They also played there under former manager Paul Heckingbottom in November’s Beftred Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic.

“I know Hampden has its critics as a venue but it still generates a terrific atmosphere when there’s a passionate crowd,” said Ross. “I don’t think anyone can debate that. It still holds that allure for players and as a manager it’s no different.

“I was lucky enough as a manager to lead my team out twice at Wembley. It’s something I never got to do as a player and it’s something I never thought I would do as a manager. It was sore in terms of how the two games went but it will live with me for a long time.

“The opportunity to take a team to the national stadium - hopefully twice in the same season - is something special.

“Whatever ground the game it played in there would be a big crowd,” he added. “That will be terrific. I’m relaxed either way about it.”

Ross believes “sporting integrity” should be a factor in the discussion about where the semi-final should be played.

The Easter Road manager points out that Hearts have played at BT Murrayfield on several occasions in recent times.

Their most recent appearance there was last season’s Betfred Cup semi-final defeat against Celtic. Hearts were also permitted to play four league games at BT Murrayfield during the previous season when the new main stand at Tynecastle was being completed.

Ross harbours concerns over switching the game to the home of Scottish rugby because of the advantage this would hand Hibs’ rivals.

“Hearts have a lot more experience of playing at Murrayfield than we have,” said Ross. “During the period of the main stand reconstruction at Tynecastle they played their games there. It would not make a huge difference but if you are looking at it simply from a sporting integrity point of view, if you like, they have certainly had more experience of playing in that stadium and on that pitch.”