"They have set the standard"

After leading his side to a famous victory over Celtic at the Global Energy Stadium last weekend, John Hughes sat down with us.

The manager was delighted with the result but assured supporters that his side won’t be getting carried away:

“It’s certainly a good result. It’s brought a spring to our step. It’s important we get our feet back on the ground. We were off Monday, training yesterday and it was a good session, so all credit to them.

“There’s one or two of them arguing in the five asides saying, ‘do your job’ so that tells me that the Celtic game is forgotten about and they are wanting to win a five aside match, which is good.”

The defeat over Celtic was John Hughes’s 3^rd victory over a top 4 side since his arrival, having already taken the scalps of Hibernian in Aberdeen since joining in December.

However, County are yet to record back-to-back victories under Yogi, and this is something he hopes to rectify this weekend against St Mirren. He said:

“It’s been like that a few times this season… you’re just hoping that it gives them the confidence and the momentum for the rest of the season. I have said many times that every game from now to the end of the season is a cup final, and beating Celtic was a bonus. So it means nothing if we don’t do the business against St Mirren.

“I don’t think we’re going to be shooting up the league from now to the end of the season, it’s going to be nip and tuck, but I’m looking at the performance and, although it was a different performance, the performance I got against Celtic was… well, I mean if they keep doing that I think they will win more games than they will lose. They have set the standard and they can’t go below that so it’s my job to keep that standard going, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Michael Garydne and Blair Spittal were shock inclusions in Yogi’s starting side for the Celtic win and the manager wanted to express how pleased he was with their contribution to the match. He said:

“I’m really pleased for one or two of the guys that come in like Michael Gardyne and Blair Spittal. They’ve come in and played their part and the substitutes that came on as well. The reason I’m mentioning the substitutes is usually when you know you’re not in the starting XI you’re not happy about it, you’re not really taking on board what the tactics are. Every one of them went on and played their part so it shows me they are listening as well so that when they do get the opportunity, they go in there.

There’s competition for places, that’s what we’ve got, we’re in a good place going towards the end of the season. I’m really pleased for the boys for all the hard work they’ve put in, I’ve seen a real improvement in a lot of stuff that we’ve been trying to implement. That’s down to the players for taking it on board and doing it.”

Yogi also reiterated how happy he was to see the Staggies keep their second clean sheet since his arrival:

“I’m really pleased about keeping a clean sheet, we rode our luck a bit and Celtic were by far the better football team. We knew that but we showed a discipline and a desire to keep that back door shut. To then go and knick it, was absolutely fantastic.”