Jack Ross lauds one Hibs winter signing in particular and explains what he will do with rare midweek off

Jack Ross believes Paul McGinn is showing exactly why he was “desperate” to bring the St Mirren defender to Easter Road.

The Hibs head coach admitted he never expected the signing of the 29-year-old, brother of fans’ favourite John, to cause much of a fuss, his transfer-deadline day arrival overshadowed by those of Marc McNulty and Greg Docherty.

However Ross, having worked with the versatile defender at Dumbarton a number of years ago and again at St Mirren, was convinced McGinn was hugely under-rated would prove to be a valuable addition to his squad.

He said: “Paul is probably the one that will always attract less headlines than Greg or Marc because of the position he plays in first and foremost.

“But I think he has shown why I was so keen to get him. I was desperate to bring him to the club as we needed someone in that area of the pitch.

“I have worked with him previously, watched his career closely and he is the type of player who often gets overlooked in this country, someone that’s just reliable and good at what he does week in, week out.

“He is showing already in the short period he has been here how reliable and consistent he is, that that is what he would offer because I know that’s what he does.”

Meanwhile, Ross admitted he was looking forward to finally having no midweek match, the victory at Kilmarnock on Sunday signalling the end of a punishing schedule which saw them play nine matches in just 29 days.

He said: “We’re looking forward to a wee bit of a rest, mentally as well for everyone, me, the staff, the players. We’ll look after them this week.

“It’s been a really, really busy period. I can’t remember the last time we did not have a midweek game so we will use it properly and look forward to a big game (against fifth-placed Livingston) at the weekend.

“But it’s nice to have that little breather.”