Every match is a cup final, says Ross County manager John Hughes
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Ross County must approach every single one of their remaining matches in the Premiership like it is a cup final, according to manager John Hughes.
The Staggies remain rooted to the foot of the Premiership table, with the usual split now coming into sight on the horizon.
Just seven points separate the entire bottom half though, so it is not yet time to panic in Dingwall with plenty of time to turn their predicament around.
With Covid-19 still looming over sport in general, County will want to rise up the table as quickly as possible, but a tough task is waiting for them tomorrow as Aberdeen come visiting to the Global Energy Stadium.
Hughes, though, has every confidence that his side can pick up points if they play to their potential.
“Every game from now is a cup final, it is that old cliche,” the former Hibernian boss insisted.
“We still have to go out and express ourselves, we have to have the freedom to go and play.
“I feel the boys are in a false position from what I have seen of them on the training pitch, with their attitude, commitment and honesty.
“The problem, like most of the teams in the bottom half, is inconsistency. When we are good, like we were against Hibs, we can beat anybody.
“We know what we are up against, Derek has done a marvellous job up there, he has a really good Aberdeen team.
“They are where they are for a reason and they will want to bounce back after their defeat to Rangers last Sunday.
“We know what we are up against, an Aberdeen team who want to finish as high up the table as they can.”
The Staggies squad will be boosted by the return of Ross Stewart, who returned to training this week.
As long as Stewart has had no adverse reaction in the final build-up to tomorrow’s match, he will be in contention to start.
The 23-year-old striker has not featured since Hughes’ first game in charge, away at Celtic on December 23, thanks to a hamstring injury that was not as bad as first feared.
Hughes also expects Carl Tremarco and Callum Morris to return to the squad after their own issues.
