Stuart Kettlewell has challenged his Ross County side to prove their progress by reaching the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals. The Staggies host Premiership side Hibernian in the quarter-finals, a rematch of the 2015 final, with a place at Hampden on the line.
Kettlewell, the Ross County manager, said the achievement would be significant for a club rebuilding after consecutive relegations. "It would be massive for the football club in so many different ways, whether it be financially, it would also be huge for pushing the boundaries and going against the odds," he told The National Scot.
Rebuilding after tough years
Ross County dropped to League One after being relegated from the Premiership and then the Championship in successive seasons. Kettlewell described the period as one where the club was "hammered and beaten over the head" and is now focused on healing. Progress in the cup, coupled with a strong league start, offers tangible evidence of a turnaround.
The club currently sits second in League One, having taken 13 points from their opening five matches. Their last outing was a 3-0 defeat to this weekend's opponents, Hibernian, just days ago.
A rare opportunity
Kettlewell emphasised the rarity of a third-tier club advancing so far in the competition. "I can’t remember another situation where a League One club has progressed to the next stage of this competition," he said. To overcome Hibernian, he believes his team must be "pitch perfect" and at their absolute best.
The manager's focus is now entirely on preparing for the cup tie, acknowledging the size of the task against a top-flight opponent.
Ross County's next league assignment is a home match against Peterhead on November 7th. Before that, all attention turns to a cup night where they aim to make history.
