Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson is wary of a rejuvinated Hibernian side under new manager Jack Ross in tonight’s Premiership encounter.
Hibs have taken seven points from a possible nine since former St Mirren and Sunderland manager Ross replaced Paul Heckingbottom, who was dismissed last month.
The form has seen the Edinburgh outfit rise to sixth in the table – five points clear of County – and Ferguson expects them to have a spring in their step at Victoria Park tonight.
Ferguson said: “Hibs have definitely got a bounce with their new manager coming in and re-invigorating the group. We see that a lot. It’s the same group of players.
“Hibs will play their diamond in the middle of the pitch and they have a number of players who can unpick locks and look for that final pass. They have two strikers with their tails up who offer a real goal-threat at the top end.
“There won’t be any surprises from Hibs. They will play the way they want to play. We have to make sure we can deal with that, but also offer a threat by giving them something to think about.”
County battled back from 2-0 down to salvage a draw when they last met Hibs at Easter Road in October, with goals from Brian Graham and Joe Chalmers earning the Staggies a point in what proved to be Heckingbottom’s penultimate league match in charge.
Ferguson hopes the Dingwall men can cause similar problems this evening, adding: “The two goals we got last time at Easter Road came late in the game when we went a little bit more direct.
“When we put their defence under pressure, we got success. We need to make sure we’re in a position to do that.”
Ferguson is confident the Staggies can make a strong revival from Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Celtic, which was their ninth straight match without a victory.
Ferguson added: “We need to make sure the Celtic game is out of our system – but I think that is easier than getting some other games out of our system. The gulf is huge, and we reluctantly accept that. There’s not much more we can do.”
County welcome back on-loan midfielder Ewan Henderson, who was ineligible against parent club Celtic.
Meanwhile, Ross Stewart, who netted in the Staggies’ loss to Celtic at the weekend, has been linked to English Championship outfits Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers.
Stewart, 23, moved to Dingwall from St Mirren for £25,000 last year.
