The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Point made by Staggies rearguard
Just as the critics may have been a little hasty in writing off Steve Clarke’s threeman defensive unit, so too, it seems, has Ross County’s been harshly derided.
There was strong evidence at the Global Energy Stadium on Saturday that Stuart Kettlewell’s deployment of a shape not dissimilar to that favoured by the Scotland national coach is settling into a cohesive unit.
With Coll Donaldson and Alex Iacovitti either side of experienced Keith Watson, County resisted one of the Premiership’ s most dynamic attacks.
The trio were helped greatly by the energy of Connor Randall and Regan Charles- Cook in wing-back roles, as well as by the seasoned figure of Iain Vigurs protecting the area in front of them.
County will still be striving to find the right balance between defensive solidity and attacking sparkle – lacking at times against Hibs – but there were encouraging signs that they have the right formula moving forward.
They rode their luck a little early on when Kyle Magennis rattled the post and Iacovitti had to bail out goalkeeper Ross Doohan on his debut with a goalline clearance, but their resolve and solidity eventually sapped Hibs of energy and ideas.
While counterpart Jack Ross expressed frustration at failing to crack County’s defence, Kettlewell seemed more content at the outcome, especially after Randall’s red card for a last-man foul with 11 minutes remaining.
“It’s a good result for us in the end,” the County manager stressed. “Being down to 10 men, we were delighted with the clean sheet and point.
“I thought it was a reasonable 0– 0 and we got into reasonable opportunities to score goals ourselves, as well as their chances,” he said.
“Hibs are a team that probably strike a bit of fear into the opposition with the attacking options that they have, so, from that point of view, the clean sheet is a big tick for me.
“We were clinging on a bit towards the end, so that’s when you take your point and move on.
“We spoke to the players after the match, it’s just about having that wee bit more belief or maybe with the right decisions to carve out even better opportunities than we had.
“The pleasing bit is that we’re getting into those areas of the pitch, we just need those final decisions to be on point.”
Another encouraging aspect for County was the movement and energy of Harry Paton and Charlie Lakin, their loan signing from Birmingham City.
The latter arguably posed Hibs the greatest threat during the 90 minutes. Always eager to take the ball and attack, Lakin’s sharp footwork saw him make several dangerous forays.
“Charlie comes with a good pedigree,” Kettlewell said. “He’s a lad that we like, with a lot of energy and a lovely left foot.”
It might have been a different game had Hibs capitalised on a powerful start, with Boyle firing just wide twice in the first 15 minutes and Magennis shaking the upright.
Kevin Nisbet also beat keeper Doohan within that period, but Iacovitti made a fine clearance on the line.
County striker Ross Stewart was isolated at times, but worked hard to keep the visitors on alert.
Eight minutes into the second half, Hibs howled for a penalty but referee Nick Walsh seemed to call it right by waving away the claim after Nisbet had been taken out by a sliding Regan Charles- Cook.
Doohan played his part in securing the point with good saves from a Stevie Mallan strike and a Paul Hanlon header.
County were reduced to 10 men 11 minutes from time when Randall failed to deal with a high ball over the top and took down Boyle as a last-man offence.
The Staggies felt they might have had a penalty soon after when Michael Gardyne’s surge ended with Stewart tumbling to earth under PaulMcGinn’ s attentions.
After more Hibs pressure, County could reflect on a valuable point – and a point proved by their recently-criticised defence.
ROSS COUNTY (3-1-4-1-1) – Doohan 7, Donaldson 7 (Grivosti 76), Watson 7, Iacovitti 7, Vigurs 6, Randall 6, Lakin 7 (Kelly 76), Paton 7 (Tillson 88), CharlesCook 6, Gardyne 7 (Mckay 81), Stewart 6. Subs not used: Laidlaw, Tremarco, Shaw, O’Connor, Hylton.
HIBERNIAN (3-1-4-2) – Marciano 6, P. McGinn 7, Porteous 7, Hanlon 7, Gogic 6, Boyle 6, Newell 7, Magennis 6 (Mallan 64), Stevenson 6 (Gullan 84), Doidge 6, Nisbet 6. Subs not used: Barnes, Gray, Hallberg, S. McGinn, McGregor, Mackie, Shanley.
Referee – Nick Walsh 7.
Man of the match – Charlie Lakin (County).