Ross County manager Derek Adams has urged his players to seize their opportunity of Scottish Premiership survival against Hibernian tonight.
Victory for either side will ensure another season in the top flight and with County having home advantage Adams wants his players to make the most of their advantage against Terry Butcher’s side at Victoria Park.
Following 36 matches Adams would like nothing more than for County to relax and enjoy their 38th and final league match, but he knows that will only be possible if his team take all three points against the Hibees tonight.
He said: “We know a victory for either of the two teams secures safety. That’s what we’re looking for. We’re at home. It’s in our own hands and it is an opportunity we need to seize.
“It’s a cup final, really, and we want to be the winner, with the prize of top level football next season.”
Despite the good relationship between Adams and the former Caley Thistle management team of Butcher and his assistant Maurice Malpas, he knows there is no room for sentiment.
He said: “It’s difficult because it takes time to stamp authority on any club. But we just look at their team. They have some good players and we have to try to win the match.
“With the players we took in, we’ve added a lot of strength and done really well in the second half of the season. We’ve picked up a lot of points and we need to get across the finishing line now. This gives us that opportunity.
“Up to this season we had a fantastic record against Hibs, so previous results don’t concern me. We’re at home. We know what’s at stake. I’m sure there will be a fantastic atmosphere at the game.”
Hibs have struggled to score goals this season and Adams is putting his faith in his attacking players to get the goals to secure survival tonight and avoid last day drama at Partick Thistle on Saturday.
He said: “We need to take our chances when they come along and there will be chances in the game.
“We have to be the team that takes those opportunities. We have players in the team who are match-winners – the likes of Melvin de Leeuw, Richard Brittain, Yoann Arquin and Filip Kiss – who can all score goals.”
Adams hopes to have the same squad which lost 1-0 at St Mirren on Saturday.