Ross County manager Jim McIntyre hopes home comforts can help his Staggies kick start the season.
County have struggled this season with only one league win, 2-1 at Dundee on opening day.
With Saturday’s visit of Hibs followed by an away match against Kilmarnock before home matches against Hearts and Hamilton Accies, McIntyre has targeted the upcoming run of fixtures as an opportunity to increase his side’s points tally.
Although the Dingwall side was defeated 4-0 by Celtic on Saturday, a promising display in their 1-1 draw against Partick Thistle in their last home outing has offered McIntyre encouragement, and he is determined to make the most of the three home games.
He said: “We are at home and want to play as we played against Partick Thistle but be a bit more ruthless.
“Three of the next four games are in Dingwall, so it is an opportunity for us – that’s the way we’re looking at it.
“It’s a real opportunity for us to go and make a mark.”
McIntyre is wary of a strong reaction from Hibernian’s players, who were heavily criticised by manager Neil Lennon in the wake of last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Motherwell, in which the Edinburgh side squandered a two-goal lead.
Former Celtic manager Lennon labelled his side’s capitulation unacceptable, describing their performance as that of an under-eights side.
Lennon was far happier after his team’s 3-2 Betfred Cup quarter-final victory against Livingston on Tuesday, in which they twice came from behind to defeat the Championship club.
McIntyre has no doubts his opposite number will have got the reaction he was looking for, and he said: “Neil is honest in his assessment of games and doesn’t pull any punches – ever. He is always refreshingly honest in his opinions.
“Hibs have good players and played very well in the cup game up here earlier in the season, which we drew 0-0 before we went on to win on penalties.
“We know we’re facing a quality side with real strengths about their team.”
County were defeated 4-0 by Celtic at Parkhead in their last outing on Saturday, however McIntyre knows there will be greater onus on his side to attack.
He added: “Celtic have got really good experience, really good players and as an opposition we strived to get the balance right between being hard to get through and also being a threat.
“That’s the key aspect when going to Parkhead and playing against Celtic, but we also had to remember the opposition are very good at what they do.
“Sometimes we pick a system because we’re trying to nullify the opposition’s strengths, but a system is dictated by how well the players play within it.”
Manager Neil Lennon was delighted to see Danny Swanson impress with a goal in Hibernian’s 3-2 Betfred Cup quarter-final win against Livingston on Tuesday.
Swanson, a lifelong Hibs supporter, joined the club in the summer but has yet to earn a regular spot.
The former St Johnstone midfielder has featured prominently in the cup, however, and returned to the team with an impressive performance and a goal which helped book a place in the semi-finals for Lennon’s men.
It was an emotional moment for Swanson, who dedicated the goal to his late friend Shaun Woodburn who died on New Year’s Day, and Lennon admitted it had been a tough time for his new signing.
“His allround game looked sharp, and even defensively he gave his all for the team,” Lennon said.
“He tired towards the end, but he can be very pleased with how he played.
“He has a lot on his plate at the minute away from the game, but we had a chat about it the other day and we’re here to support him.
“He is going through a difficult time, but once that’s over I’m sure he’ll blossom.
“He showed real good character to go out and play the way he did, so I’m really pleased for him.”
Swanson was on target for Hibs with a well-taken curling effort after Alan Lithgow’s opener, but Raffaele De Vita’s stunning goal put Livingston back ahead.
Martin Boyle impressed throughout and got his name on the scoresheet before the break, before Anthony Stokes’ late penalty earned the win for Lennon’s side.
Lennon suffered a blow early in the first half as captain David Gray limped off with a hamstring injury, but he was unsure how serious it was as the defender will have a scan on the injury.