Ross County were eliminated from the Premier Sports Cup after a 3-0 quarter-final defeat away to Hibernian on Saturday. The result halts their cup run despite the club's strong position at the summit of League One, where they have 16 points from six games. The Staggies' recent form across all competitions, which can be tracked in our stats section, shows two wins, one draw, and two defeats from their last five outings.
Hibs took a commanding lead inside the opening quarter-hour. Thibault Klidje headed the visitors in front after seven minutes, and Adam Mayor converted a penalty seven minutes later. Ante Suto added a third before the interval to seal the tie. Manager David Gray, who made six changes from his previous line-up, said the most important outcome was "getting in the hat" for the semi-final draw. He stated that when his team puts everything together, they are capable of beating anybody, a belief they will need for their upcoming league fixtures.
Hibernian fan and analyst views
Among the Hibernian supporters surveyed after the match, the dominant theme was a call for sustained performance. "As pleasing as it is to get a 3-0 victory it has to be remembered that this is League One opposition," said one fan named Alan. He and others pointed to upcoming home league games against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen as a truer test, with several stating the aim should be six points from those fixtures to improve their position in the standings.
Another supporter, Ross, focused on player opportunities in the wake of the win. "I'd like to see Klidje given a run of games and a fair crack at it like Nathan Lowe was given," he said. The comments highlighted Klidje, Suto, and Lowe as players who could benefit from extended runs in the side to build fitness and confidence, especially with the squad's availability detailed on our injuries page.
For Ross County, the focus now shifts entirely to maintaining their league lead. They return to action this Saturday with a trip to face Cove Rangers, who sit ninth in the table. The Dingwall side will be aiming to use their next fixture to extend their advantage at the top of League One.
The original report is at bbc.co.uk
