Malky Mackay is hopeful the winter break will not come at the wrong time for Ross County.
The Staggies returned to winning ways on Saturday, by coming from behind to defeat St Mirren 3-2 at Victoria Park.
It followed a string of improved performances in recent weeks, despite County suffering losses to Kilmarnock and Hearts.
The Dingwall outfit make the trip to Hibernian on Tuesday, before facing Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday in their final fixture before the World Cup break.
Having moved off the foot of the league, Mackay is eager to sign off on a high, with the intention of picking up their form again when they return at home to St Johnstone on December 17.
He said: “I go back to last year, when we had a nice little run going into the break.
“People were thinking it was maybe best we just kept playing. But we came out the back of it having a real good run.
“Again, it’s a new group of players trying to get to grips with the intensity of the Premiership.
“People don’t realise and understand the intensity of this league, and the fact that, every week, anybody can beat anybody.
“It’s a really exciting league for the layman – maybe not so much for us managers.
“What I’ve got is guys that are starting to get to know each other really well, but who are starting to get to grips with the league and understand how I want us to play. They are starting to understand their role in the team, and that makes a difference.
“It’s actually a longer break than it was in the summer, when it was only four weeks.
“We have a plan about how we do that, as far as time off, time here, time maybe going somewhere for a few days, and then getting back into it to get ready for the game afterwards.
“Before all that, we have Hibs on Tuesday night at Easter Road, and then Celtic at the weekend.”
Easter Road presents difficult challenge
County suffered a 2-0 defeat when they last faced Hibs at Victoria Park in October.
Lee Johnson’s men are aiming to get back on track, after dropping to fifth following their 4-1 loss to Aberdeen on Friday.
Mackay anticipates a difficult test at Easter Road, adding: “It’s a big stadium, against a team that have been doing well. We are under no illusions, no matter where we go away in this league.
“We went to Livingston where there were not a lot of fans, against a team who will give us massive problems, but we got a great result.
“We played really well against Kilmarnock on that surface against a physical team.
“Every team we play against in this league gives us challenge. Ross County being in this league this year is a tough test – it’s one of the toughest leagues we have had in years.
“The amount of money that has been spent by teams this year shows that.”
Mackay confirmed defender Jack Baldwin will be assessed, after being forced off injured during the early stages of Saturday’s victory.
Conversation