Liam not along for the pride
Liam Fontaine will always be proud of the part he played in getting Hibs back to the top flight.
But his Easter Road return will see those emotions put to one side as he bids to shock his old pals.
Fontaine (below) will be back in Leith for the first time since leaving in January as Ross County visit in the Betfred Cup.
The Staggies centre-back, who is fighting to be fit after breaking his arm, said: “I’m looking forward to going back for the first time. I’ve already had a lot of messages from Hibs fans about it.
“The club got under my skin because I was part of the rebuild there. They had been relegated but then we achieved so many positive things in my four years.
“We were chasing something every season at Hibs. It was always promotion, cup semis or finals.
“We won the league and got the Scottish Cup back after such a long time. They’re still achieving now. The whole club revamped itself and got its mojo back. Alan Stubbs fostered a relationship with the fans and that has been important for Hibs moving forward.
“Now fans enjoy going to Easter Road. They love seeing the team play – that started with the side I played in and has continued with the current squad.
“No matter what I do in my career, I’ll always be proud of the role I had in the club’s revival. Hibs will go from strength to strength now. I’m looking forward to going there but I want to leave with a victory.”
Neil Lennon’s men go into the last-16 tie as firm favourites but will be coming off the back of a Europa League defeat in midweek.
Fontaine said: “Hibs have been playing a lot of games and they had the tie in Norway on Thursday.
“But they are building momentum and it is going to be a tough ask for us, no matter what.
“We have started well so it should be a cracking game between two sides high on confidence. This is a test against a good Premiership side. We want to show why we should still be in that league.”
Victory today would be a super start to Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson’s aim to turn the Staggies into local heroes again.
The co-managers and County stalwarts believe they can give the club back its identity following a major shift in policy.
Instead of splashing the cash, the emphasis is on creating a squad of players with a feel for the local community. Kettlewell said: “The transition has been good.
“We wanted to recruit players who know the area, are comfortable living here and who are willing to adapt to how we want to play. It’s also who we think will identify with our management style.
“But it’s not an old pals’ act. We are going to demand as much, if not more, of the guys we know personally.”