Jack Ross named Hibs head coach

Jack Ross has been confirmed as the new head coach of Hibs.

The former Alloa, St Mirren and Sunderland boss was the bookies' favourite to replace Paul Heckingbottom following his sacking last week.

Ross has agreed a three-and-a-half year deal at Easter Road and has pledged to get the most out of a side languishing in the bottom half of the Premiership table.

Hibs now sit eighth after caretaker boss Eddie May guided the side to a win over St Johnstone last week.

But Ross still faces an uphill task as he looks to guide his new team - who are perched just two points above the relegation play-off spot - away from trouble.

In a statement released by the club, Ross said: "I'm proud to have been named head coach of Hibernian Football Club.

"I think we all consider Hibernian to be one of the leading clubs in Scottish football - in terms of the history and passion of the supporters. It's up to all of us to help the squad live up to that.

"We have some talented players, underpinned by a successful academy, and I'll do everything I can to make sure we're able to help every player fulfil his potential.''

Ross was most recently at English club Sunderland, where he was sacked after missing out on promotion last season.

Prior to that he won praise for winning promotion to the Scottish Premiership with St Mirren.

Hibs executive chairman Ron Gordon said: "We are really excited to have secured the services of Jack.

"Leeann (Dempster) and Graeme (Mathie) led a thorough recruitment process that unearthed some outstanding candidates but, in the end, the verdict was unanimous.

"We look forward to seeing what Jack brings to the Hibernian Training Centre and Easter Road Stadium as part of the team who will strive towards achieving our sporting goals.''

Dempster added: "Jack made a very strong impression on us during the interview process but he is someone we have obviously been aware of for some time.

"We are confident that Jack will help drive this club forward and we will do everything that we can, as a board, to support that."

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