Jack Ross gives update on three USA-based players on trial at Hibs

Trinidadian defender Leland Archer and former Rangers midfielder Robbie Crawford arrived from the Easter Road side’s new partner club Charleston Battery while FC Dallas prospect Thomas Roberts has also spent time with the Hibees following the completion of the quarantine period after jetting in from the States.

Ross said: “They've acquitted themselves well, I think they've enjoyed it, and it's been good to have them in for a reasonably lengthy period rather than just for a week.

"It's maybe easier pre-season with some other new faces but mid-season is hard, particularly with us being in the midst of a busy fixture schedule.”

Crawford is perhaps the best known of the three trialists having come up through the youth ranks at Rangers and spent time on loan at Morton and Alloa – where he played under Jack Ross – before spells at Raith Rovers, East Kilbride, Icelandic outfit FH and Finnish side IFK Mariehamn while Archer and Arkansas-born Roberts have so far spent their entire senior careers in the US.

Despite a heavy fixture schedule over the festive period, the Hibs head coach has still been able to run the rule over the trio in bounce matches.

Ross explained: "We've managed to have some closed-door games in that period so it's given us a reasonable opportunity to look at them and for them to experience the club and we'll provide the appropriate feedback and go from there.

"It's certainly been worthwhile from all parties' perspective."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.If you haven't already, please consider supporting our sports coverage with a digital sports subscription.