Jack Ross has urged Hibernian to put their European destiny in their own hands - and not think about the boost rivals Aberdeen could be handed by the arrival of a new manager.
Stephen Glass and Sven Goran Eriksson are among the names to be linked with replacing Derek McInnes at Pittodrie after the Premiership’s previous longest-serving manager saw his eight-year reign come to an end earlier this week.
Ross’s side contributed in part to that, with a 2-0 win over the Dons last month easing his side clear in third while striking another blow to falling confidence in McInnes from the Pittodrie hierarchy.
But the Easter Road boss - who confirmed goalkeeper Ofir Marciano’s departure at the end of the season - is determined outside factors will not impact on the Hibees’ third place push as they attempt to overcome their slide in form at Ross County this weekend.
“It’s a huge, huge game for us at the weekend,” he said.
“If we can control our results, and control them in a positive way, we don’t have to worry about anyone else.”
In a sliding doors moment, McInnes turned down the Sunderland job before Ross was appointed at the Stadium of Light back in 2018.
However, the Hibs boss revealed how his former Aberdeen counterpart was among the first to call when he was terminated from that position around a month before taking over in Leith after suffering a similar fate down south with Bristol City.
He said: “I don’t think Derek ever felt that I need comforted or for someone to lift to me, I think he was just speaking openly to how I reacted to it and how he then pushed himself forward.
“He knows how it feels, it’s sore. I like how he speaks and how he operates, he is a straight talker.
“It will be a big change for Aberdeen. He was someone who led that club for a significant period and led them well.
“That leadership goes beyond the result on a match day. It covers so many facets of a football club. I’m sure there will be a lot of people who will miss him, his staff round the place and the leadership qualities that Derek had.”
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