Hughes has derby nous, says Vincent

WHEN it comes to Highland derby-day hostilities, history tends to repeat itself. Here we were anticipating an affirmation of Ross County’s rising status, for signs of a power shift between the two northerly rivals. But Inverness Caley Thistle, as they have done so many times before, travelled to Dingwall and punctured expectations. For now at least, they retain the edge in this fixture. There was a certain savvy in the way the Scottish Cup holders absorbed County’s early exuberant intent, then hit clinically when it counted, twice just before the break. The opener came from Miles Storey, the on-loan Swindon Town striker who is shaping up as the missing part of the jigsaw for manager John Hughes. James Vincent headed the second goal in first-half stoppage time and Liam Boyce’s late reply for County was never going to turn the match. It was the fourth successive Inverness win in Dingwall in a fixture where they have traditionally tormented County with 24 wins to just 11 defeats in two decades of national league confrontation. In truth, there was little in the game, but the lasting impression was that the more streetwise team had prevailed. Scorer Vincent was quick to credit his manager for edging the tactical battle and taking his team just two points behind the neighbours in the table. Vincent also hopes the Caley resurgence will help persuade Hughes to ignore reported interest from Dundee United. ‘I have to say the manager has been fantastic,’ Vincent said. ‘He’s perfect for players like myself who want to play football in the right way. He’s a clever manager. It’s not a surprise he’s been linked elsewhere, but we’re on a good roll at the moment and, hopefully, the manager will stick with us. ‘It’s feeling like last season. We’re back to the way we were.’ Boyce, now on 11 goals from nine games for County, is hoping the agony of derby defeat will make way for an altogether happier sensation this week with Northern Ireland. With Kyle Lafferty suspended, international manager Michael O’Neill might well turn to the 24-year-old for Thursday’s allimportant clash with Greece. ‘I’ve done everything I can to put myself in the best situation to start,’ he said. ‘I’m pleased with 11 goals so far. I’ve equalled what I managed in the whole of last season, so it’s brilliant.’