JACK ROSS hopes his Hibs squad has the ‘stability’ to withstand any financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Easter Road boss has just three players who are out of contract this summer - Steven Whittaker, Vykintas Slivka and Adam Bogdan - as well as four loan players - Greg Docherty, Marc McNulty, Stephane Omeonga and Jason Naismith - whose agreements are ending.
With uncertainty over how the global health emergency is going to affect clubs’ cashflow, it remains to be seen if budgets will stretch to new signings.
But Ross is convinced a lack of fresh faces will not hit the capital outfit too hard, because departures can be kept to a minimum.
He said: “There’s so many uncertains and unknowns at the moment, not just in terms of timeframe but also what position every club will be in.
“So, it’s made it challenging to be able to press on with exact plans.
“Every club will be in the same position, in terms of what they’re able to do.
“We probably are very fortunate in that we’ve only got three players who are out of contract, although we’ve got four who are on loan, so if the season was to end they would return to their parent club.
“But having only three out of contract is a pretty good position to be in because it gives us a pretty high degree of stability and it would mean that, if it is more challenging to recruit, we’re in a stable position.
“That, at least, is helpful.”
Meanwhile, Ross has hailed the Hibs supporters for rallying round the club during the current crisis.
Fans have snapped up more than 4,000 season tickets, despite the uncertainty over when - and how - the new campaign will kick-off.
And the newly-launched strip, bearing the logo ‘Thank You NHS’ has become the fastest-selling top in the club’s history.
Ross added: “It has been remarkable.
“One, it’s a reflection of the size of the club but, two, it’s that incredible commitment that supporters show by doing that. And their love for the club is huge.
“I’ve said it in previous jobs and it’s the same with Hibs, I’m fortunate just to be a custodian in terms of the role I’m in.
“It’s my job to try to make the team as good as it can be and reward people for their commitment because they’ve shown that long before I was at the club and they will do so long after I leave the club as well.
“But to commit to purchasing season tickets in such large numbers when uncertainty remains is astonishing.
“And it’s up to us when we do return to playing on the pitch that we reward them for that loyalty and support.”
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