John Hughes is calling on the Hibernian supporters to help his side make one final push towards European qualification - and cites the Active Nation Scottish Cup tie against Ross County on Saturday as being by far the most important match of the season.

The manager looks at the plans for construction of the final phase of the Stadium which are now underway, and it makes him all the more determined to launch the new Easter Road with European football next season. For that to happen Hibernian have to battle through on two fronts to the end of this campaign, with UEFA qualification still very much in our hands through both league and cup competition. Victory at the weekend over Ross County would see Hibernian one giant step closer with a place in the Semi-Final draw - and to help his side overcome the first division title challengers the manager is asking supporters to help lift his team to new levels.

Hughes told Hibernian TV: "I have to say this is a very, very important game for us - we need our supporters there, we need the remaining three stands to be full. Ross County have sold all their tickets and will have a good support, they will be right up for this game but we cannot let them out-sing us. So no matter what I'm asking our supporters to make sure they get down here and ensure we have a full-house, because they have a massive part to play in helping us through to the semi-finals.

"So my message to our supporters is please make sure you do what you can to get there, we need everyone behind us and create that special atmosphere that will lift our team. A few players commented after the game on Saturday how they liked having our supporters making a noise behind both goals, they do notice these things and it does make a difference."   The old East Terrace has now been completely dismantled, but the lack of atmosphere from that part of the stadium is not really a concern for the Hibs boss - who noted on Saturday that the noise being made behind each goal more than made up for the missing stand: "I liked being able to hear the noise being made by the guys who were moved from the old East Stand to behind the goals - they always made a noise but from that part of the ground it was more obvious, it was great to hear.

"These really are exciting times at Hibernian - we were talking this week about the plans for the ground, the new stand and the pitch being extended so that it meets UEFA requirements. It is going to be a fantastic place to play and watch football - right now we have to do everything we can to make sure that when it is all ready next season we are playing on the European stage. To help towards that Saturday's game is the biggest of the season by far, so we are all really hoping our supporters fill the place and help push us a big step towards our aims."

The manager was in Kirkcaldy last night for one final look at Ross County, who saw their league challenge dented a little by going down 2-1 to Raith Rovers - but he was already well aware of the quality the opposition will bring to Easter Road on Saturday: "I know that they have the boy Miller at right back who used to be at Livingston and Morrison on the left who used to be at Aberdeen, a player with a great left foot and brilliant going forward. The have Boyd and Watt at centre-back - Watt was at Chelsea and Boyd used to be at Livingston, the have good midfielders as well while up front they have Wood who can score a few goals and Barrowman who used to play at Inverness.

"They are a good well organised side who are very adaptable, so we have a good idea of what we are up against and we will be taking nothing for granted, they will come to us believing they can win. Ross County are a form team in spite of last night - any side that scores 9 goals in a Scottish Cup tie these days is doing something right. We will need to be on top of things right from the start and hopefully we'll get the goals to lift our supporters and see us through to the next stage."

Tickets for Hibernian v Ross County are available from the Hibernian Ticket Office, on-line via https://www.eticketing.co.uk/hibernianfc/default.aspx or through the ticket Hotline on 0844 844 1875 Option 1.