JACK ROSS didn’t spent much time at Hartlepool United, but during his short stay he made an impression.

Signed by Neale Cooper in 2004, the resolute right-back appeared only 23 times for the club. His time was ended by injury, homesickness and a refusal to return to Victoria Park after returning to Scotland for treatment to an ankle injury.

But Ross wasn’t a renegade or a bad egg. Far from it. He came to a club which was at the height of success, and they made the League One play-offs in his time.

Skipper Micky Barron was an integral part of the squad and he has nothing but praise for his former team-mate and now the manager of Sunderland.

“I didn’t believe it at first when I heard he was taking over – just because I thought Sunderland would go for someone with experience of the division and English football,’’ mused Barron.

“It’s a brave choice and a brilliant opportunity for Jack. He is a really intelligent lad, was always talking football and I always got on well with him – even though he was brought in to replace me at the time!

“He was wanting to talk about the game and he has an intelligence about him. I remember he was very good around people as well so I’m sure his man-management skills will be very good.’’

The Scot, captain at Clyde before moving to Victoria Park, cut a thoughtful figure at Pools.

Barron added: “At the time you don’t really know who will be a manager later, but when you look back now you saw how he was with people, quite infectious. He would be someone you would want, as a footballer, to play for because his man-management skills will be good.

“And I think Sunderland need someone to come in like that, someone to go and get the players and staff on their side. I’m sure he will be good away from the pitch – staff at the club, reporters too. He’s an intelligent guy and with his coaching record in Scotland he has showed he can do it.

“He comes on the back of some success and that could rub off on the club.’’

Ross, who rented a property in Houghton-le-Spring while at Pools, stayed in Scotland after Pools finally came to a deal where his contract was cancelled, agent fees returned and he signed for Falkirk, managed by future Victoria Park boss John Hughes.

While absent, he claimed in an interview he would never return to Pools “even if they were in the Champions League’’ and was openly critical of popular boss Cooper at the time.

But Barron admitted: “At Hartlepool he was planning on doing a degree, he was different and a breath of fresh air. He was like a new breed of footballers who didn't just turn up and play, he wanted to sit and chat about the game and go over it again. It meant something to him.

“I wish him all the very best.

“He came to a club at the time which was doing well and we had a tight-knit dressing room, we were all friends. But his personality and his manner meant he fitted straight in and even though it didn’t work out in the end for him at the club, he was very well liked in the dressing room.

“Circumstances at the time weren’t right for him, it happens in football sometimes and it was a good few years ago, I’m sure he’s changed and matured further now.’’