Rangers loanee Glenn Middleton was mysteriously absent from the Hibernian squad as Jack Ross took charge of his first game as manager on Saturday afternoon.
The Edinburgh outfit set up differently, deploying two strikers in a convincing 3-1 win at home to Motherwell, but Middleton didn’t play any part in the triumph.
Having discussed his desire to start more games in an interview with the Daily Record earlier in the week, unless he picked up an unreported knock in training, it seems unlikely Middleton missed out through injury.
If it was purely a tactical decision, it will be somewhat concerning for a player who temporarily left Ibrox with the express intention of getting more game time.
Despite complaints from some fans, it seemed a good call when the teenager headed to Easter Road in August, but the switch has brought more frustration than joy.
He has accumulated just eight appearances in total, with six coming in the Premiership and two in the League Cup [Transfermarkt].
Paul Heckingbottom spoke highly of him when he arrived, but following the Englishman’s departure, he now has to impress a new manager with whom he has no previous connection.
He’ll be hoping that by working hard in the coming weeks, he can force his way into Ross’ plans. If those efforts fail, he could even consider returning to Ibrox in January.
