Ross County missing two key men for Hibs clash as ex-star has 'point to prove'

Oli Shaw will return to Easter Road with Ross County. Picture: SNS

New Ross County boss John Hughes will be without two key men for the trip to Hibs.

The Staggies travel to Easter Road bottom of the Scottish Premiership following the latest defeat which arrived at the weekend in the home clash with St Mirren.

The 2-0 loss was former Hibs boss John Hughes’ second match in charge having replaced Stuart Kettlewell.

Both Josh Reid and Ross Draper were shown red cards and will therefore sit out this evening’s match which kicks off at 6pm.

However, one player who could start is former Hibs striker Oli Shaw.

Next month it will be a year since the 22-year-old joined the Staggies for an undisclosed fee as he sought regular first-team football.

He was described by the club's former CEO Leeann Dempster as “one of the best young players” for his age group in Europe back in 2019. Something the player admitted added pressure.

After failing to hit the net for County until October, he now has five goals for the Staggies in 24 appearances in all competitions, and will be looking to add to that tally at Easter Road after his profitable run in front of goal was stunted by a groin injury.

“I was at Hibs for a long time, so I’ve got a few pals there, but when it gets to the match it’s game time, and I’ll be focused on getting the points”, he told the Press and Journal.

“You need to find something to motivate yourself in football. That can motivate me going back there and wanting to prove a point and do well, so I’ll take that into the game.

“I needed a fresh start, and it has been good for me up here.”

Hughes is another who will return to Easter Road looking to make a point as he tries to lift the Staggies off the bottom of the table.

This is his fifth management job since leaving Hibs in 2010, his most memorable being at Inverness CT, who he led to Scottish Cup success.

"They have got quality in every position so we are right up against it,” Hughes said. “But we are more than capable of going there and letting Hibs know they were in a match.”