Hibernian boss Jack Ross had no issue with playing either Kevin Nisbet or Ryan Porteous against St Mirren on Tuesday night.
The duo were both in-demand in the last days of the transfer window, with Millwall interested in Porteous, and Birmingham City interested in Nisbet, who put in a transfer request. However, both players are still at Hibernian, and were involved in the 2-1 win over St Mirren.
Scored the opening goal
Bother players came on as substitutes in the second-half, with Porteous scoring the opening goal for the Easter Road side. Ross disclosed that he knew that both players would have their mind on the job, even though it must have been a difficult few days for the job.
Ryan Porteous in action for Hibernian (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“I know it would be dead easy to stand in front of you guys and say “I never had any concerns over it”, but I didn’t” he said.
“Built a good relationship”
“It’s not something that ever entered my head. Because I just think we’ve built good relationships with them, myself and my staff spend a lot of time with them, a lot for work with them. I think they’re appreciative of that” Ross continued.
Kevin Nisbet celebrates scoring for Hibernian (Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)
The Hibernian boss believes that if the duo can keep performing well for the club then it is inevitable that they will attract more interest.
“I think they can see the potential rewards for it almost there. It’ll come again for them, that’s got to be the message. If we’re winning games, we’re high up the table, they are performing well individually, that’ll come for them no doubt.”
Porteous and Nisbet will next be in action this weekend, when Hibernian face Aberdeen in a game which will have big implications in the Premiership battle for third place.