'More fluidity, consistency and trust': Hibs 'stronger' than when they last beat Hearts, says Jack Ross

Jack Ross believes Hibs are “in a stronger place” than they were when a Martin Boyle double won the Boxing Day derby at Tynecastle.

The victory in Gorgie was sandwiched between Premiership defeats by Rangers and Livingston, but now head coach Ross feels his free-scoring side are “in the groove”.

Since the winter break, the Easter Road side have lost just once in 11 matches as they’ve re-ignited their hopes of clinching a Europa League place while securing a Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Hearts.

Ross said: “We had some okay results against Aberdeen and Motherwell at home and we dug out some results away from home. But we didn’t feel that we were in a groove. Now, I feel we have a lot more fluidity, consistency and trust.

“Collectively we feel in a stronger place than we were on Boxing Day as well.”

Hearts 'a different prospect'

Although little more than two months have elapsed, Ross anticipates Hearts being a different proposition tonight, pointing out that manager Daniel Stendel has had more time at the club where there have been changes both in terms of playing personnel and his staffing structure.

“I don’t see what goes on behind the scenes,” he said: “But I would imagine the dynamics are a bit different and it’s how that manifests itself on the park. Steven Naismith was injured on Boxing Day and they’ve signed Liam Boyce.

“But we have made changes too. It just shows you how football can change in a relatively short period of time.”

Ross made light of Hearts’ current difficulties, Stendel’s side two points adrift at the foot of the Premiership table, insisting his sights were set on a win which would take Hibs closer to third place with those above them not playing until tomorrow night.

'Not a lot between large number of Scottish Premiership teams'

He said: “People usually see things in extremes and think a team or an individual is really poor or fantastic. Usually the truth is somewhere in between.

“I do think in the Scottish Premiership there’s not a lot between a large number of the teams, so that difference in ability is minimal. There is an element of consistency about performances and results and creating momentum, that’s a powerful thing.

“That can go either way. When you have a negative momentum it can be difficult to get out of. When you have a positive momentum you can just go on. We are in that latter one at the moment which is good for us.”

Ross is well aware that while his side are more than capable of creating and scoring they do have a tendency, as was shown again as they defeated Inverness Caley on Friday night, to also lose goals.

'I prefer trying to score more than trying to protect'

But, he insisted, an attack-minded approach was down to the players he has at his disposal. He said: “I probably prefer trying to score more than trying to protect, but I have to balance it out by saying I am not saying ‘wow, look at me, I am this great manager who encourages them to do it’.

“You have to work out what you have at your disposal. Ultimately, I have to win games to survive in my job, I just have to figure out the best way of doing it. Unfortunately for me in my role, it is always a results business.

“Win, survive, succeed - it’s just the way it is. If you can do that by being entertaining, fantastic. I am fortunate to be at a club traditionally suited to doing that. For us it would be great to go and produce the same sort of performance as Friday night and be as creative.

“But you know what it’s like, if we did that and lost the game then I will get criticism and people won’t be happy. So it is about winning the game, but there’s that balance as well.”