Hibs manager Jack Ross happy his Indodrill alteration is no longer in use

Jack Ross was accused of being a bit of a wide boy when he had the width of Alloa’s pitch dramatically narrowed in a bid to help the Wasps avoid relegation from the Championship.

His ploy of bringing the touchlines in by about five yards on each side midway through the season, was one he described as “an educated gamble”, Alloa having taken only a single point out of nine home games.

“If it works, it works,” he declared of that move, “But we need to try things.” Ultimately, however, it proved futile as Alloa eventually took the drop.

But as he prepared to return to the Indodrill Stadium for tomorrow’s Scottish Cup clash with Lowland League outfit BSC Glasgow, the now Hibs boss admitted he was delighted the pitch is once again full size.

“It is good that I know it is a good pitch,” he said. “It is an artificial surface but I know it is a good one and it is back to its normal size, which is good.

“It was taken in a couple of times because Jim (Goodwin) did it as well. He did it for a full season, I only did it for half a season, so he is worse than me. I took it back to it’s usual size in my second season after we’d been relegated.

“Jim narrowed it when they were promoted. That makes a big difference to that surface when it is narrower. When it is a full size pitch it is actually a really good size pitch.

“I think we have been fortunate that BSC play their games there and that they decided to keep it there. I know it is a ground that has hosted Championship games every second week and even if I hadn’t been there before, that would make me think it is okay. The fact this will be at a good ground is an advantage for us.”

Ross agreed that few, if any Hibs fans will know much about BSC but, he insisted, they are not a side to be taken lightly. He said: “I think the all round standard and strength of the Lowland League has slowly and steadily improved.

“A high number of their squad have played senior football – and not just a flirtation with it. Some of them have had seasons of it so you’re not playing against players who can’t play. They have been able to play senior football or professional football because they are good enough to do that.

“That again helps us focus and makes sure we have to be right for the game because we are not just turning up against a team who can’t play. Like Dundee United they’re a team who are used to winning more often than not, they are having a good season in their own league.

The television cameras will be there tomorrow and Ross admitted he was well aware just why, for exactly the same reason they were at Tannadice in the previous round. He said: “The players didn’t shy away from it, they understood the reason was people either expected or wanted an upset.

“For us, it’s just having trust in what we do. We’ve shown on enough occasions we are a good side when we play in the right manner. I spoke to the players after the St Mirren game and said what an exciting week this is.

“We had a really good league game to look forward to on Wednesday and then this, an opportunity to get to the last eight which is big for us as well.”

Ross agreed tomorrow’s match will be very different to the midweek clash with Rangers at Ibrox, not just the venue but the size of the crowd – of which Hibs fans will make up the majority – and the dynamics of the game.

He said: “On Wednesday we knew what type of game we were going to have and that we would spend more time out of possession than in possession. I would imagine it will be the reverse tomorrow.”

Hibs have faced a punishing schedule since the winter break with tomorrow being their seventh game in just 21 games with, Ross revealed, three of four players “with some issues” following the 2-1 defeat by Rangers, one or two of whom won’t be risked. On loan Rangers midfielder Greg Docherty will be available and Ross added: “We will field the strongest possible team.”