Jack Ross says Hibs aim to take 'the next step' against Rangers

Hibs boss Jack Ross saw his side drawn to face Rangers in the League Cup semi-finals and said he was relishing the opportunity to “take the next step”.

A 3-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice meant Ross and his side reached Hampden for the fifth consecutive time in a domestic cup competition.

The draw has pitted Hibs against Rangers, meaning the pair meet at the national stadium for the first time since 2016.

Ross believes recent games between the sides have shown him it’ll be a game worth seeing and he wants his team to rise to the occasion.

“Whoever we got, it was going to be a tough game,” he said. “I’m excited by it.

“The big difference from the previous semi-finals is the size of the crowd that will be there and a good atmosphere will be generated.

“It’s a brilliant tie. Rangers won three of the games last season but I thought we were highly competitive. It’s about taking that next step.

“We play Rangers in the league before the semi-final as well which will be a good barometer to see where we’re at as well. It will give us some indication of how we plan for that game.

“There’s a lot of football still to be played before that time. It’s just brilliant for the players to be in another semi-final.”

Ross was satisfied with a “strong” performance against United, where three goals before half-time put his side in command and a second half strike from Peter Pawlett wasn’t enough to turn the tide.

United manager Tam Courts said he was unhappy with the officiating and that a penalty call against his side, as well as a disallowed goal in the second half, were misjudged.

He said: “I’m really disappointed by that, really disappointed for the players. Mark Reynolds has had to spend some time on the bench, comes on and performs so admirably well, and then has to deal with an unjust penalty decision. I’m really disappointed for him.

“Then Peter Pawlett, who I think is in the form of his life and is a real joy to watch, it would have been a cracking finale if we had been awarded that legitimate goal and took it down the home stretch. Unfortunately we never got that opportunity.”