"We know we can do it and that gives us confidence"

John Hughes spoke to us to preview Ross County’s clash with Hibernian at the Global Energy Stadium this weekend.

Yogi, who spent time at Easter Road as both a player and manager, got his first win as County manager against the Hibees in December and he is confident his side can replicate that performance this weekend:

“Well, we beat them the last time down at Easter Road so we know we can do it and that gives us confidence. They are a high-flying team, they recruited very well in Cadden and Irvine.

“We have to have a great bit of belief that what we are doing for the full 90 minutes will get us the result.”

Despite the recent upturn in Hibs performances, the County boss is not fazed by the challenge ahead:

“They are a good side, they are where they are for a reason, but what have we got to lose, let’s go and have a right good go. If we are going to get wins, then we have to have a right good to go. Better attacking than defending and putting them under pressure. I am looking forward to the game, I really am looking forward to it.

“All teams are different, and you’ve got to respect who you’re playing against. Hibs have probably got better players than us, that’s why they are sitting third in the league, so you have to respect that, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re not going to win the game.

“They had better players than us the last time we played them at Easter Road, and we picked their pocket so it’s up to us to come up with a game plan and implement the game plan after working really hard during the week. When we go out on Saturday, I want the players to feel like they’ve done so much preparation that they think ‘I’ve played this game before, I know what’s going to happen’.

“What have we got to lose? We’re fighting for our lives and they’re riding high. If I was a player, I’d love that opportunity and that challenge.”

As we enter the home-straight of the Scottish Premiership season, Yogi reaffirmed the importance of picking up victories as soon as possible:

“No matter where we go, home or away, we’ve got 10 games to go and we need to start winning games, simple as that. No matter who we’re playing against, going to Hamilton and picking up a good result, we need to follow it up. We need to find they wins consistently from now to the end of the season or we are going to be right in a dog fight, and if we don’t do it then it’ll go right down to the wire.

“No matter if it’s home or away we take every game as it is, we do our preparation, give them as much information as I can and try and help them to go and win the football match.

“The quality of what I’m seeing on the training pitch, some of the things I’m seeing I’m standing and applauding. If we can do that and take it onto the pitch on a Saturday, we’re good and when we do that, we’re good. But it’s about doing that for 90 minutes and getting the consistency of doing it for 90 minutes.”