Jack Ross reveals the tough Hibs Christian Doidge call he had to make

Jack Ross has admitted that leaving Christian Doidge out of the Hibs starting XI against Motherwell was a “tough” decision – but the fact the Welsh striker ended up getting on the scoresheet pleased him hugely.
Christian Doidge curls the ball home to put Hibs 2-0 ahead against Motherwell.Christian Doidge curls the ball home to put Hibs 2-0 ahead against Motherwell.
Christian Doidge curls the ball home to put Hibs 2-0 ahead against Motherwell.

Ross decided to name the forward on the bench at Fir Park on Saturday, opting to go with the club’s top goalscorer Kevin Nisbet as a lone attacker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Hibs struggled for a cutting edge in the first half and Doidge ended up coming on for Drey Wright in the 69th minute and he scored the Hibees’ second in a 3-0 win over the Steelmen, moving them into third in the table.

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“I was delighted for him,” said Ross. “He was unfortunate not to play. It was a difficult decision for me. Any time I leave him out, it isn’t easy for me, and he’s trained really well this week, so it was tough."

The former Forest Green Rovers and Bolton Wanderers hitman has not been as prolific in front of goal as he was at the tail end of last season and Ross took heart from the fact that the 28-year-old was back among the goals with his fifth of the campaign.

“The one thing I would never doubt is his attitude because when he comes on the pitch, he is brilliant,” Ross added. “He looked sharp, so I’m pleased he got the reward with the goal because it’s been a little bit of frustrating period for him in front of goal."

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