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Ross County manager John Hughes hoping to learn from St Mirren

Ross County manager John Hughes hoping to learn from St Mirren
© Reuters
John Hughes took over the Premiership's bottom side on Monday.

New Ross County boss John Hughes believes the Staggies should aspire to be like Boxing Day opponents St Mirren.

Hughes took over the Premiership's bottom side on Monday following the dismissal of Stuart Kettlewell and began his tenure with a 2-0 defeat by Celtic at Parkhead on Wednesday night, the club's fifth successive loss, the fourth in the league.

The Dingwall club are four points adrift of Hamilton as they prepare to meet the Buddies whose impressive 11-game unbeaten run ended against Hibernian at Easter Road the same night.

Hughes, though, is a huge admirer of the Paisley outfit and said: "St Mirren have been absolutely fantastic.

"You look at them and say, if we can do what they do then we will be alright.

"They just grind it out, they play some nice football and have some good footballers, so it's going to be difficult and it is a different challenge but one that we have to be ready for.

"We are where we are for a reason, we can't keep the ball out at one end and we can't score as you seen against Celtic.

"We just need that to change to keep a clean sheet and nick a goal and then we are up and running."

After putting in such an effort against Celtic, Hughes is hoping there is no adverse reaction against St Mirren.

The former Falkirk, Hibernian and Inverness boss said: "I've touched on it many times.

"Every time I've taken a team to either half of the Old Firm, you put so much in to it that the next game, even mentally, can be a little bit flat.

"It cannot be flat come Saturday. We have to be right out the traps and be ready.

"So, if they keep giving me that and we can add a bit of quality, there is enough there to go and win games."

Striker Ross Stewart came off at Celtic Park with a tight hamstring but Hughes is hopeful he will be fit for the visit of the Buddies.

He said: "It is a tight hamstring and hopefully he will be alright and ready to go."

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St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin pictured on August 9, 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic2017215574853
2RangersRangers20124437162140
3Dundee UnitedDundee Utd219753022834
4Aberdeen2110473230234
5Motherwell219392734-730
6St Mirren2283112737-1027
7Hibernian226883135-426
8Dundee2174103337-425
9Ross County226792238-1625
10Kilmarnock2266102537-1224
11Hearts2265112531-623
12St Johnstone2243152444-2015


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