Ross County striker is ready to face former club Hibernian
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Oli Shaw feels he has unfinished business with former club Hibernian ahead of Ross County’s visit to Easter Road tonight.
The 22-year-old striker left Edinburgh for the Staggies in the January transfer window, but took some time to settle into his new surroundings.
Most of last season was spent on the substitutes’ bench at the Global Energy Stadium, but after coming on to score at Dundee United at the end of October, he went on a goalscoring run.
His hot streak was brought to an abrupt end through injury, but he has returned to the starting line-up twice in recent weeks, and should keep his place in the side against Hibs.
Shaw had been a regular player at his former club, but fell out of favour under Paul Heckingbottom, before Jack Ross gave him the green light to sign for County.
So he has something of a point to prove to his boyhood club, which he hopes to do on the way to helping the Staggies to all three points.
“When I was there I was in and out of the team,” he said.
“When I was in I was doing okay, and I managed to score a few goals here and there.
“The manager changed, and things started to change for me.
“Maybe I have unfinished business there, as I felt I was good enough to play there.
“I needed a fresh start, so coming up here has been brilliant for me, on and off the park. I am enjoying it, so hopefully that continues.”
Shaw is still close with some of his former teammates, having come through the youth ranks with the likes of Ryan Porteous, but friendships will be put to one side tonight.
Going directly up against Porteous, Shaw has no plans to take things easy in front of goal, and he expects no less from the central defender either.
“I’m sure he will want to leave one on me,” Shaw said.
“At the end of day it is a game of football and we will try to get the better of one another.
“I came through the youth with Porteous, and we were in the Scotland youth teams together, so I know what he’s like.
“Paul Hanlon was brilliant with me when I was there too, but at the end of the day it’s another game of football.
“I will need to respect them, but we know what we need to do to come away with the points.”
County received an unexpected boost before facing St Mirren last Saturday.
With points that had been awarded to Hamilton being suspended for now, they went from four points adrift to just one behind the Accies, and Shaw says that has been a boost in the Staggies dressing room.
“I think subconsciously that does happen,” he said.
“Last week we were
four points adrift, and you look at it and think we’ve
got a bit to go. Then going into the game on Saturday and it was down to one, it gave us a bit of a spring in our step.
“There’s plenty of positivity that we can get points and climb up the table.”
