MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 23:21:07| >> :600:145359:145359:

Ross County's John Hughes has no qualms with Dundee United resting players

Ross County's John Hughes has no qualms with Dundee United resting players
© Reuters
County fell into the Scottish Premiership play-off position last week after losing 3-1 at home to St Mirren.

Ross County manager John Hughes had no qualms with Dundee United resting players against their relegation rivals.

And the Dingwall boss will focus on the fundamentals of football rather than the make-up of their opponents ahead of their trip to Tannadice.

County fell into the Scottish Premiership play-off position last week after losing 3-1 at home to St Mirren while a much-changed United team lost 3-0 against Kilmarnock.

Micky Mellon handed first starts to 16-year-old defender Kerr Smith and 20-year-old midfielder Florent Hoti while making seven changes ahead of their Scottish Cup quarter-final against Aberdeen.

Mellon had no regrets even before United won 3-0 at Pittodrie and changes could be afoot for Saturday's league clash with their semi-final against Hibernian coming seven days later.

"That wouldn't really bother me because, if you want to stay in this league, you have to earn it," Hughes said.

"Dundee United are entitled to do what they want. They have some wonderful kids coming through and I understand it.

"I have to concentrate on what we are doing at Ross County and we will prepare for the Dundee United team that won at Aberdeen on Sunday. They were very, very impressive, and we are going to have to be at our best."

Hughes bemoaned his team's defending after their latest defeat. County have conceded 14 goals in their past six matches and their only clean sheet in 2021 has come against Celtic.

Hughes said: "You don't have to try too hard to score a goal against us because we don't defend from the front, we don't get over and help our team-mate out and, when a ball comes into the box, it's the basic fundamentals, you have to go and head it.

"You head it, you clear your lines, whatever the game demands. Playing against an opponent, the two of you should be going hammer and tongs at each other.

"We are just coming a wee bit unstuck at the moment. When we are doing all that stuff, nine times out of 10 we win the game.

"Unfortunately it's inconsistent. Sometimes it has been very good first half, poor second half. We need that consistency of the fundamentals of football.

"We need everyone understanding exactly what their job is, no grey areas, that simplicity in football, don't over-think it. And that's what we have been trying to do.

"I keep saying to the players, 'don't over-think it, we have all been doing it since we were five or six years old. It doesn't change'.

"We have to be more resolute in the way we go about our business."

ID:445058: cacheID:445058:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4007:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Celtic manager John Kennedy pictured on March 21, 2021
Read Next:
Wednesday's Scottish Premiership predictions including Aberdeen vs. Celtic
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock174581834-1617
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!