Highlands & Islands

Ross County are still missing defender Dylan Smith (ankle) and long-term absentees Ross Callachan and Ben Paton (both knee).

Hibernian welcome back Joe Newell following suspension, while Paul Hanlon and Lewis Miller are expected to be fit after going off with minor issues in last weekend’s defeat at St Johnstone. Adam Le Fondre (hamstring), Jake Doyle-Hayes (ankle), Harry McKirdy (heart) and Chris Cadden (Achilles) are all out until after the winter break.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Derek Adams has admitted his controversial comments on the state of Scottish football could inspire opposition teams.

The Ross County boss was criticised after he slammed the game north of the border after his side lost a last-gasp goal to Dundee last weekend.

Asked whether his remarks could prompt an on-field backlash from other players, he said: "There could be a bit of that, but generally speaking I spoke about the last five games.

“I spoke about the games that I witnessed. I didn’t speak about every other team in the league. I spoke about the games and how they were played since I came back, that’s all I said.

Adams added: “The players were disappointed because of what I said about my former employers,”

“But we have got to get the best players out there on the pitch performing week in, week out.

“It’s up to us to then look at it and be on top form and we need to be performing better, there’s no doubt about that.”

Ross County manager Derek Adams would be in favour of a larger Scottish top flight. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip

• Ross County are unbeaten in three league meetings with Hibs (W1 D2) – previously going four without defeat to the Easter Road side once before in the top flight (October 2012 to August 2013).

• Hibs have only lost one of their last five Scottish Premiership visits to Ross County (W2 D2), a 1-0 defeat in November 2021.

• Ross County have kept three clean sheets in their last four home Premiership matches (W2 D1 L1), although they did concede last time out in Dingwall – a 1-0 defeat to Dundee.

• Hibs have lost two of their last three away league matches (W1), as many defeats as in their previous 10 (W2 D6 L2).

• Hibs manager Nick Montgomery has never lost consecutive matches in the Premiership, but could do so following their 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone last time out.

After Derek Adams' scathing assessment of Ross County and Scottish football last Saturday, can the Staggies provide a stirring response this weekend?

County have suffered back-to-back defeats and now face Hibs in Dingwall.

What changes should Adams make to the line-up? Make yourself the manager and choose your Staggies XI here.

Image source, SNS

Derek Adams' comments about the standard of Scottish football are "unfounded and embarrassing", according to former Rangers, Falkirk and Dundee striker Rory Loy.

Adams stood by his original assertion that the level in Scotland is "shocking", but Loy believes the County manager has "been brainwashed" during his time managing south of the border.

"I think that he has to stand by them given how strong his words were at the weekend," Loy said, speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I feel quite strongly about this. I think his comments are unfounded. They are embarrassing. I think he spat the dummy out because his team have lost a last-minute winner to Dundee, and it just screamed desperation for me.

"I played down in League One for a couple of years. And I can assure you that the Dundee side I played in, in the top flight in Scotland, was every bit as good as the standard that I played in League One, and we finished eighth in League One.

"I think if you look at the results he picked up with Morecombe towards the end of his time there, it shows. There are so many bang average players down in League One and League Two who are good athletes; they lack technical ability and the standard of football in these leagues is not that good.

"To make those comments, it's poor and I think he's been brainwashed by people down south who have a low opinion of the game and players who aren't of a great standard themselves who talk in a bad way about the Scottish game.

"I think he's maybe been down south a little bit too long and if he wants to prove people wrong, or if he wants to get better standard then he needs to look at his own team first and start winning some games."

Jane Lewis discusses all the big news in Scottish football with former Rangers, Carlisle, Falkirk and Dundee striker Rory Loy and Ryan Cryle, joint sports editor of the Press and Journal and Evening Express.

As well as previewing Rangers v St Johnstone and Aberdeen v Livi, they take a look at the Old Firm ticketing row, celebrate the legend that is Kenny Dalglish and, as Derek Adams stands by his controversial critique of the game in this country, they assess a range of ideas for improving Scottish football.

Listen to the full episode here.

Derek Adams stands by his explosive assessment of Scottish football since his return to Ross County, but does "regret" bringing Morecambe into his point.

Adams pulled no punches in his post-match interview with the BBC, branding the top flight as "rubbish".

Previewing his side's final fixture before Christmas on Saturday against Hibernian, the County manager reiterated his comments.

"What I said on Saturday was based on what I've seen from the five games I have witnessed," he said.

"Sometimes, it's probably better if I keep my thoughts and opinions to myself.

"After the game, there was a situation where we'd lost a last minute goal and you probably do say things quite quickly after it, and that's what I did but what from what I've seen in the five games, I stand by what I said.

"What I probably shouldn't have done was refer to my former employer and that is something that I do regret."