John Hughes took his squad on the long trip north yesterday afternoon to ensure they were in best possible shape for what is without doubt the most important facing the club this season. A place in the Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden Park awaits the side that shows the correct level of commitment at Victoria Park this evening, with Ross County looking to use home advantage to help them into that stage of the competition for the first time in their history.

It has not been the best of times in recent weeks for Hughes and his charges - however in spite of some indifferent performances the side remain in a good position to finish the season on a high, a point made by Lewis Stevenson as he prepared to board the team coach to Dingwall: "Everything is still in our hands, if we can go out there and get a result in Dingwall then it will lift everyone at the club - when you get one win then you can find things getting a bit easier, and that's what we are needing just now. People are saying that we appear to be lacking confidence - even players who are in the stands comment that we look a bit nervous, but we have had a few meetings between ourselves and we know just what we have to do.

"We believe we are good enough to get back into that third position in the league and to progress further in the Scottish Cup, there is no reason why we can't still do that."   Sentiments that are shared by John Hughes himself, the manager knowing that losing an Edinburgh Derby is hardly the best preparation for such an important match - but remaining fully focussed on the task ahead: "When we were on a winning run I did not get carried away - and the same applies when things are not going so well, I will not get carried away because I know what I want for Hibernian and the culture we need to create here. We have come a long way this season and played good football at times - there is no point having done that to now fall at the final hurdle.

"The response from the players this season has been good, albeit in the last month or so I've certainly seen us play better football that we have been producing. We now have a test of our character and resolve - but even after what was a massive disappointment in losing to Hearts at the weekend we remain in a good position. We go to Ross County with a chance of progressing into a Scottish Cup Semi-Final, and a couple of wins in the league could push us back where we want to be. So we need to keep everything in perspective, that's where we are right now and we need to ensure we keep our feet on the pedal until we get the confidence back again."

Injuries remain an issue for the manager who will again be without the services of his club captain, Chris Hogg remaining on the sidelines with a back injury. It was not all bad news on that front however with a couple of players retuning to training, and Colin Nish coming back into contention after missing the Derby through suspension: "Paul Hanlon trained on Monday and we hope there is no reaction, we'll take a look on Tuesday. Zemmama also trained and the same thing applies, but Chris Hogg will not make the game as he is still having trouble with his back so that is disappointing."