Ross reveals Hibs contract talks with Marciano and Newell

Hibs boss Jack Ross has said that the club are in talks to extend the contracts of Ofir Marciano and Joe Newell.

Marciano has been an important part of Ross’ team this season but he has also played a starring role for Israel in their three games against Scotland.

The goalkeeper made crucial interventions as his team ran out as 1-0 winners in Wednesday’s Nations League match, underlining his value to both club and country.

Marciano’s contract at Easter Road expires at the end of the season but Ross said that moves were under way to extend his stay in Edinburgh.

“We’ve initiated some conversations with Ofir’s representatives and they’re ongoing,” Ross said. “It’s only recently that we’ve done that but he’ll be aware that we’re keen to prolong his stay at the club.

“As always, players have their own decisions to make about the club and their personal and professional life but I’ve been delighted with his form this season and I’m pleased that I have one of the strongest goalkeepers in the league.

“He’s been in that form all season. Our defensive record has been good, not only the clean sheets but also the number of goals conceded from open play hasn’t been that many.

“Ofir has been a big part of that. His display in midweek was just reflecting that.”

Speaking ahead of his side’s home match against Celtic in the Premiership, Ross said that a goalkeeper in form helped bring confidence for big games.

“There’s every chance he’ll have to make big saves tomorrow but it’s nice for me to go into that game believing we have a goalkeeper that’s capable of doing that,” he said.

Ross said that similar moves had taken place to secure Newell on a longer deal. He said that the club’s aim was to avoid a large scale revamp of the squad every summer and instead to benefit from continuity in key positions.

“It’s similar conversations to the ones about Ofir,” he said. “We would like Joe to stay.

“We’re trying to cut down the turnover of players that we have in each window so that hopefully we can bring an increased stability to the squad.

“Hopefully we can have a core group that we think can bring us success.

“Ofir and Joe have played pretty much every game this season and at a good level. It would be common sense for us to try and keep them when they are arguably getting to the peak years of their careers.”