Hibs star reeling from Jack Ross exit ahead of facing Celtic in Cup Final

By Euan Davidson

December 10, 2021

Hibs defender Lewis Stevenson has suggested the mood in Leith isn’t great following the sacking of Jack Ross, with Celtic laying in wait for the Premier Sports Cup Final on the 19th of December.

Ross led the Hibees to the Cup Final, beating Rangers 3-1 in the Semi [BBC]. League form hasn’t been good though, and Ross left the club after just 1 win in 9 [Daily Mail].

It’s left morale at Easter Road very low indeed, reading into comments made by Lewis Stevenson to the BBC.

The Scottish Cup winner sounded bereft after Ross’ sudden departure. He said [BBC]: “We would have loved him to be there.

“He has put in so much work to get us to another cup final. His cup record was really good and for him and [assistant John Potter] it’s not nice. We kind of have that pit in your stomach when we are going to Hampden and they should have been there with us. He did everything right as a gaffer, I thought.

“It’s a hard time. Sometimes it’s when you are at your angriest. The sense you have let people down is the worst feeling to get over.

“We haven’t been able to get results on the pitch. He gave us everything. He backed us when things weren’t going well and when things were going well.”

Celtic have their own woes before facing Hibs in the Premier Sports Cup Final, but we at least have a manager

Ahead of the Premier Sports Cup Final, it’s been easy to get distracted by what’s happening at Celtic. Three players came off injured against Real Betis last night, with plenty more fitness woes beyond that.

Where there was expectation, there’s now trepidation. But at least things are still better for Celtic than they are for Hibs.

With such a competent squad at their disposal, Ross would surely have been able to turn things around. Instead, he’s been dismissed, with Hibs sitting seventh in the league table [BBC]. Really, it couldn’t be a less opportune time to take Ross’ job, either.

Whoever the Hibees bring in, the challenge of turning around a squad low on morale before a Cup Final will take huge character. Celtic, on the other hand, have a manager who’s beloved by fans and players, who’s surely desperate to make the Cup Final a formality.

That doesn’t mean we ought to take anything for granted. Surely, after last season, we know that by now.

Hibs will still provide an ample challenge at Hampden next Sunday. That is, if they’re able to rally around after the loss of a manager who was clearly well-liked in the Easter Road dressing room.

Read more: Celtic man’s brilliant post-match quip after underrated European display