Hughes: All Ross County strikers could feature at same time
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John Hughes has not ruled out fielding all three of his strikers at the same time before the end of the season.
Jordan White has become a mainstay in the Ross County side since signing from Motherwell in January, where previously Oli Shaw had appeared to establish himself.
However, in recent weeks Billy Mckay has started firing again, meaning Shaw has had to settle for a place on the bench.
Hughes, though, believes they all have a part to play in the Premiership run-in to keep the Staggies in the top flight, and thinks there is a chance all three of them could play together before the campaign closes.
“Billy is a streaky striker in terms of coming on, and once he goes on a goal run he can’t stop – hopefully that continues through to the end of the season,” Hughes said.
“Jordan is the perfect foil for him, and Oli Shaw still has a massive part to play over the final games as well.
“It just so happens with the shape we are playing we are changing it up a bit, but I wouldn’t mind – if I am brave enough – getting all three of them on the park.
“If there is ever a time we can get the three of them up together, and Jordan can knock the ball down, then we certainly have a goal threat.
“If we want to stay in this league then we are going to have to score goals. So it’s nice to have that at our disposal.
“We’re going to need that from every single person at this club to keep this team in the league.”
County travel to a St Johnstone squad tomorrow, who still have eyes on leapfrogging St Mirren into the top six before the split.
The Dingwall outfit have a good record against
St Johnstone this season though, winning one and drawing one of their two encounters so far.
Even without looking at form, Hughes has always enjoyed making the trip to McDiarmid Park, as he has plenty of respect for the club.
“My respect for
St Johnstone goes way, way back to when I was a player coming through playing against them, then going into coaching and management and knowing what you have to do,” he said.
“You have your elite academies and all that stuff, and St Johnstone have just done it their own way.
“All that stuff doesn’t bother them, they are just right down the middle – and if you see the players they have in their first team, look at their two centre-halves, Wotherspoon, they all come through their system.
“They stick to their guns and live and die by that, that’s why I respect them, and to do what they are doing and win the cup, that’s absolutely different class.
“Sometimes you have to tip your hat to that and say ‘well done’.
“It’s a tough place to go, but I love everything about it. Even when I was manager up at Inverness, the rapport our directors had with them was great, they’re real, down-to-earth football guys.
“Anything we get we’ll earn, that’s right up my street, so we’re looking forward to it.”
