Hiring Hughes is clever move says former Caley Thistle defender
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DAVID Raven is convinced Ross County have pulled off a masterstroke by recruiting John Hughes as manager.
The ex-ICT boss has been appointed with the task of saving the Staggies from premiership relegation after Stuart Kettlewell was sacked on Saturday.
Former Inverness defender Raven loved every minute of a rollercoaster spell under Yogi’s charge at Caley Thistle.
Raven – as part of a five-and a-half year Caley Thistle career – revelled in the success.
But he also remembers the traits that made Hughes so successful before his controversial exit after a dispute with the board in summer 2016.
Raven said: “When he first came into Inverness it was very different circumstances.
“Usually when a manager leaves it is because things aren’t working, but when Terry Butcher left we were on a great run, with a good feeling about the club.
“Yogi used his brain. He didn’t overthink. He told us to keep doing what we were doing, and just win games. “He didn’t change too much until the next pre-season. What I did notice straight away, and what he’ll do for Ross County, is bring bags of energy.
“He’s just a ball of energy. That’s where he gets the best out of players. He brings the fun element and I know, 100 per cent, the boys at County will love his training and methods.
“His hunger and excitement will transmit to the boys and I can see that working massively in Ross County’s favour.”
Having Raven’s old Caley Thistle colleagues in the heart of the dressing room – including club captain Iain Vigurs – will be a massive plus, he feels.
“They know him and what he’s all about,” said Raven.
“They will massively respond to him and they will be good for Yogi in terms of him going in there. He’s going to have lads onside from day one.
“It is probably a very clever appointment by Ross County, with lads there who have worked with him like the captain Iain Vigurs.
“It’s a completely different challenge, trying to lift the dressing room, with them at the opposite end of the table.
“Not everyone there will fit his system and way of playing, but he will look at the players he has and fit that into a system that is going to win games.”
Hughes will work with existing assistant manager Richie Brittain and first team coach Don Cowie.
Raven added: “He is his own man. He will set the standards.
“He has a big enough personality and character to deal with people.
“The staff there will respect him for who he is and what he has achieved, anyway, especially from his time across the bridge in Inverness.”
