Jack Ross says the departure of Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster won’t impact his winter transfer window.
Dempster is leaving Easter Road after six-and-a-half years at the club. She has played a big part in great change on and off the park, including a return to the Premiership and the 2016 Scottish Cup success.
She departs for more time with family and a new challenge. Ross has hailed her impact at the club but insists it makes no difference to his transfer plans.
“I spoke to Ron yesterday afternoon and I’m quite relaxed about it in terms of any impact on my side of things,” said the Hibs boss. “That’s not to be flippant about Leeann’s departure – far from it, as I’ve spoken at length about her significance.
“But I don’t see it having any major impact on our ability to do anything in January and the planning behind it. When I took the job a new structure had just been put in place. Graeme Mathie was named sporting director, which has meant my interaction with Leeann has probably been less with some previous managers.
“However, that’s not to say her and I have not had a good working relationship and been in regular communication. I knew Leeann to an extent before I came to the club and that was part of the attraction.
“I spoke to her on more than one occasion before joining the club and the opinion I had of her was only reinforced when I met her. Her legacy will be the strongest thing when she leaves here, with the work that she’s done and the success that the club has had in that period, which includes winning the Scottish Cup.
“She’s leaving the club in a really good place and will undoubtedly be a really big miss.
“I spoke to her for a while yesterday so I know that when the moment comes to leave the club for the last time it will be hard because it’s been such a big part of her life for the last six-and-a-half years.”
Ross also provided an injury update ahead of the League Cup last 16 match with Dundee on Saturday, confirming Paul Hanlon would miss out after picking up an injury midweek against St Johnstone.
“Paul will be missing,” said Ross. “Hopefully he’ll take part in training early next week and he’ll be available for the Motherwell match. But this is too soon for him.”