Jack Ross reveals the truth behind Hibernian's interest in Sunderland duo Aiden McGeady and Dylan McGeouch

McGeady is free to leave the Stadium of Light during the January transfer window after being banished from the training ground by Ross’ successor, Phil Parkinson.

And given his close relationship with Ross, the 33-year-old was thought to be a potential target for the Easter Road outfit once the winter trading period begins.

So too was McGeouch, with reports in Scotland earlier this week claiming Hibs were monitoring his situation with the midfielder having fallen out of favour on Wearside.

McGeouch was signed by Ross in 2018 from Hibernian, where he remains highly thought of.

But Ross insists he has no plans in place regarding the pair, but was not surprised to see the rumours start to swirl as the transfer window approaches.

“I've been well used to that over the last couple of years,” he said of the speculation.

“Any time any Scottish player full stop became available, he was linked with Sunderland. There were times there was an element of truth in it, a lot of occasions it couldn't have been further from the truth.

“It happens all the time every time managers have a relationship with the players.

“I've given no real thought to what we'll do in January at the moment.

“I'm concentrating on the players we've got and to date, that's worked well."