TWO teams with high ambitions for a top six push in the Premiership this season drew a stalemate last night after a ferocious Betfred Cup contest in Dingwall.
But Championship winners Hibs, with a strong away display, proved they will be ready for the rigours of a top-flight return.
Almost 600 travelling fans saw the game's bonus point settled 4-3 to County on penalties.
It was the clubs’ first meeting since the Staggies’ historic Hampden Park victory in the 2015 League Cup final, with the live cameras and Friday night billing confirming this as one of the top ties of the group stages.
Neil Lennon also had past form with County having been knocked out of the Scottish Cup semi-final by them with Celtic in 2010.
On the face of it, it was all about the BetFred Cup but both managers would have privately been gauging readiness for the Premiership campaign.
There was no place in Neil Lennon’s team for newly-signed Lithuania international Deivydas Matulevicius, still awaiting international clearance.
Ross County manager McIntyre reverted to the line-up that comfortably beat Alloa 2-0 at home before Tuesday’s 6-0 rout at Montrose.
New signing Jim O’Brien made the home bench after signing a two-year deal.
Craig Curran attempted to set a positive tone for County in the opening seconds but his ambitious strike spun well wide.
But Curran, with three goals in the two opening group games, limped off injured after only five minutes, with summer signing Thomas Mikkelsen his replacement.
Hibs quickly took a grip on early play, moving the ball confidently and at pace. John McGinn came crashing down after a strong surge to the edge of the box, while a Danny Swanson dig deflected for a corner.
Swanson seemed in the mood and, after 11 minutes, cut in from the left and teed up Martin Boyle to test keeper Scott Fox from the edge of the box.
Moments later, Simon Murray drove forward, cutting onto his right foot, before forcing a strong save from Fox.
County earned a little reprieve after 17 minutes, winning their first corner. From Sean Kelly’s swirling delivery, an Andrew Davies header stung the glove of Ofir Marciano who parried to safety.
Hibs’ energy kept troubling County, but the hosts showed intent, too, on the break. Schalk’s 18-yard strike deflected for a corner before Michael Gardyne lashed just wide from an angle in the box.
County’s attacks were fewer, but a Ryan Dow cross almost created the opener as Lewis Stevenson stubbed it just wide of his keeper’s right hand post. Gardyne also flashed a 20-yard effort over the bar.
Stevenson, at the other end, rippled the side-netting after patient Hibs probing.
(second half)
A much more subdued opening to the second period came after the half-time talks.
But after 56 minutes, Simon Murray flashed a powerful strike just over the County bar, while a couple of minutes later Fox struggled to hold a rasping John McGinn blast from 25 yards.
After 68 minutes, Brian Graham, on for Murray, took up the fight against the former employers he helped to that League Cup final triumph.
County’s luck was in moments later as Martin Boyle’s meek shot squirmed through keeper Fox’s grasp but spun just wide of target.
Hibs were turning the screw with a succession of corners, but the home defence stood strong.
Swanson was then lucky to escape with just a booking for scything through late on Gardyne near the touchline.
The pace and effort was relentless to the finish and County finished strongly with Marcus Fraser fizzing a 20-yard strike wide.
In stoppage time, a Darren McGregor header struck the County bar before penalties beckoned.
ROSS COUNTY (4-4-2): Fox; Naismith, Fraser, Davies, Kelly; Gardyne, Lindsay (Routis 58), Chow, Dow (O’Brien 74); Curran (Mikkelsen 7), Schalk. Subs: McCarey, Van der Weg, Morrison, Tumilty.
Booked: Davies 21, Chow 57
HIBERNIAN (4-4-1-1): Marciano; Whittaker, Ambrose, McGregor, Stevenson; Boyle, Bartley McGinn, McGeoch (Shaw 86); Swanson (F. Murray 77); S. Murray (Graham 68). Subs: Laidlaw, Gray, Fontaine, Porteous.
Booked: McGinn 67, Swanson 75
Referee: Steven McLean.
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