Match preview: Hughes takes charge of first home match as Ross County welcome St Mirren to Dingwall
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The John Hughes era is up and running at Ross County after Wednesday's match against Celtic, and the new manager will lead his team out at the Global Energy Stadium for the first time against St Mirren.
It is an important match as the Staggies look to try and draw the rest of the bottom half of the Premiership in – with the Buddies currently sitting eighth with a game in hand.
Losing to Celtic was not the start Hughes would have been hoping for, but other results went County's way midweek and their position at the foot of the table did not worse, so now they have to start making up ground ahead of the new year.
Team News
Ross County: Ross Doohan is available again after having to sit out the match against his parent club on Wednesday.
There is still a question mark over Regan Charles-Cook, who missed the trip to Glasgow, while Ross Stewart was withdrawn in the first half and will need to be assessed.
Michael Gardyne was also taken off at half time, while Carl Tremarco did not feature after returning to the squad, while Connor Randall, Charlie Lakin and Tom Grivosti are longer-term absentees.
St Mirren: Defender Brandon Mason is suspended after being shown a second yellow card against Hibernian on Wednesday, and so will miss the trip north to Dingwall.
Jake Doyle-Hayes and Richard Tait have had injury issues to deal with, but are expected to travel to the Global Energy Stadium
Recent form
Ross County: lost 2–0 away at Celtic, lost 2–0 at home against Hamilton, lost 2–0 away at Aberdeen, lost 4–0 at home against Rangers, won 2–0 away at St Mirren.
St Mirren: lost 1–0 away at Hibernian, won 3–2 at home against St Johnstone, won 3–2 at home against Rangers, won 1–0 away at Motherwell, drew 1–0 at home against Aberdeen.
Head-to-head (all competitions)
Ross County 12
Draws 10
St Mirren 18
Last five meetings
St Mirren 1–1 Ross County – Premiership, Saturday, August 22, 2020
St Mirren 2–1 Ross County – Premiership, Saturday, November 23, 2019
Ross County 2–1 St Mirren – Premiership, Saturday, September 14, 2019
Ross County 1–2 St Mirren – Premiership, Saturday, May 9, 2015
St Mirren 0–3 Ross County – Premiership, Monday, April 13, 2015
Ones to watch
Ross County: Harry Paton – the Canadian midfielder is typified by his work rate, and that will go down well with Hughes.
When things are not going well, the only way to turn it around is through sheer hard work, and Paton is usually one to cover every blade of grass – a kind of desire that will be needed for County if they are to move into a better position in the battle to avoid relegation.
St Mirren: Jonathan Obika – the Buddies forward has started the last two matches on the substitute's bench, but has still managed to impact games.
He scored a late winner against St Johnstone, a game where former County forward Lee Erwin also found the net, and his physicality has proven a handful for the Staggies in the past.
