Rice relishing ‘strange’ meeting with his old mate Hughes as Hamilton host County
Brian Rice admits it will be "strange" coming up against old buddy John Hughes when Ross County visit Hamilton tonight.
Theacciesbosswasassistant to Hughes at Falkirk, Hibernian and Inverness before taking over at the Lanarkshire club in January 2019, following a spell as assistant at St Mirren.
Hughes took charge of the Staggies in December and, ahead of their clash, both clubs find themselves at the wrong end of the Scottish Premiership, with County one point ahead of bottom side Hamilton but having played two games more.
Rice, who will add new loan signing from Aberdeen, Bruce Anderson, into his squad, looks forward to seeing Hughes again under unusual circumstances.
He said: "We have great history and are brilliant friends but (Wednesday) night it is going to be strange. I have thought about it since last week. I was looking at their team and thinking how they are going to play and I know all his old tricks and what he is up to - he is the same as me.
"I have been thinking about it non-stop and it is going to be really strange. It is the first time we have been in opposite dugouts.
"I am looking forward to it and I am looking forward to the game and trying to win the match. It is a big game for both teams, we know that. We know how important the game is, we have one win apiece against each other. There is not a lot between the teams, we have said that all along.
"We are hoping if Bruce comes in he can maybe nick that goal that maybe gives us the win. So he will go straight into the squad."
County captain Iain Vigurs insists Hughes’ squad are in fine fettle ahead of tonight’s clash.
After a 2-1 home defeat by
Motherwell on Saturday, the Highland side go in to the match with one win in five.
However, the 32-year-old midfielder and his team-mates remain positive.
Vigurs said: "It is becoming the old cliche of every game against teams around you being a six-pointer.
"It doesn't matter how we do it we just need three points on the board.
"The boys are upbeat, so the morale is very good at the moment."