Yogi: ‘It’s a whole different ball game’

John Hughes spoke yesterday morning ahead of Ross County’s clash with Scottish Premiership league-leaders, Rangers, on Saturday.

The manager revealed his admiration for the quality and style of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side in advance of County’s trip to Ibrox:

“Rangers at Ibrox, with the form they are in and the players they have got I think is a different proposition, it’s a whole different ball game.

“I could sit here and wax lyrical about Rangers because it’s right up my street (the style of play), they play proper football. Everybody can look after the ball, fullbacks scoring goals, people scoring off the bench. That’s why they are where they are, that’s my style of football: keep the ball and take the sting out of the opposition with plenty of rotations, pace and goals.

“I love that, and I could sit here and talk about them and Steven Gerrard all day. But, as a player, it cannot phase you, it has to inspire you. You know what you are up against, you want to test yourself up against the best. I’m hoping on Saturday we can go there and do that, that’s our mindset, we can give them a game.

“There’s no doubt when you go to Ibrox, even all the years I’ve been there, a lot of the time you don’t see the ball, which is okay at times, as long as you are behind it, as long as, when you do get it, you can keep it, you can pass it then hopefully you can create one or two chances. We’re looking forward to it!

“They’re unbeaten in the league, so the momentum and the confidence that that brings is remarkable. You’re right about against it, there’s no getting away from that, they’ve got better players than us.”

Despite the level of challenge ahead for the Staggies, Yogi wants his players to enjoy the match and cause an upset:

“I’m asking my players to embrace that challenge and be inspired and see what you’ve got and try and implement your own individual game. What a stage to go and do it!

“Rangers play the way football should be played. They keep the ball; you don’t get a touch of it. Throughout all my time in football, I’ve used a phrase ‘Bulls and Matadors’. There’s many of times I’ve been the bull and it’s not nice getting a chasing and it might be like that on Saturday.

“But there’s also been many of times where I’ve coached a team and we’ve been matadors and it’s a great feeling when you’re popping it, looking after the ball, taking your time and taking the sting out of the opposition. That’s what Rangers do, you can see they’ve been well coached, we will be right up against it but I’m really looking forward to it.

“I don’t get caught up with what’s going on at any other club. In fact, I put in place to stay away from that, I’m not interested.

“I think if you take outside noise in, it takes away from what you’re trying to do. I only try and focus on my team.”