Former Hibs’ captain and manager John ‘Yogi’ Hughes has left Ross County to ‘explore further football opportunities’

He joined the club on a fixed-term contract until the end of the season to steer the Staggie’s to safety from relegation, and successfully achieved that objective.

Hughes told the club website “I would like to thank the players, staff and supporters. I have enjoyed my time at Ross County. I was appointed with the objective of securing Premiership football and I am proud to have achieved this under the circumstances. I wish Roy MacGregor and Ross County every success for the future.”

In a statement the club said: “We would like to place on the record our thanks to John for his hard work and commitment to Ross County and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”

Meanwhile another former Hibs’ manager Jim Duffy has left Dumbarton following the expiry of his contract.

He had been in charge since October 2018 and has steered the club through the recent turbulent times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

After two sixth-placed league finishes, he recently ensured that the club will compete in League One again next season, having won the playoffs by defeating Stranraer and Edinburgh City over two legs.

His overall record as Sons manager consists of 94 games in all competitions – 33 wins, 18 draws and 43 defeats.

Chairman John Steele  paid tribute to Duffy and said: “Jim has, over his two and a half years in charge, shown what a committed person he is to the job.

“The epitome of this was that he continued to serve as our manager after suffering a heart attack last year. He had committed to be our manager for what is now last season and wanted to see it through.

“However, his view was that he could not currently extend the physical effort that managing a football team demands.

“We are sorry to see him go, but fully respect and understand his decision.

“We wish him all the very best for the future and there will always be a warm welcome here at Dumbarton for him.”

There was some better news however for former Hibs’ captain James McPake who led Dundee back to the top flight after defeating Kilmarnock over two-legs in the Play-Off final.

Dundee took a 2-1 lead to Rugby Park and completed the job with two first-half goals.

He told BBC Scotland last night: “We want to compete well. “I’ve played in cup finals but this was the biggest game of my life. I’m delighted we got over the line.

“We want to be what Kilmarnock have been. Twenty eight years in the top flight. We were five years, that’s not long enough. We want to be a stable club in the Premiership. Look at St Johnstone [winning two cups], that’s what we should be aiming for.

“This group deserve a chance at the Premiership. They’ve been outstanding and I’ll be loyal to them.”

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John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.