Chris Hogg puts Hibs misery behind him with Inverness return

CHRIS Hogg believes he has returned to Inverness a fresher player after getting his Hibs exit out of his system.

The defender rejoined Caley Thistle last week after spending time looking for a club in England, failing to win a deal with Crewe following a brief trial spell. Hogg initially joined Caley Thistle in January after failing to impress Hibs manager Colin Calderwood despite being club captain at Easter Road. The 26-year-old will return to Terry Butcher's squad for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Dunfermline today after sitting out the injury-time defeat by Hibs last weekend because he was not fit enough.

The former England youth skipper said: "It was a great feeling walking back into a club where you can feel at home. I left here last season and went back down to England to see what was there for me but the manager kept in touch with me over the summer and I spoke to him on several occasions. There was no hesitation in coming back up here. I spoke to the manager on Wednesday afternoon, then again at night, and by 11am on Thursday morning I was in the car on my way up to Inverness. There were no long discussions, I just wanted to come back up here and play and prove myself all over again as a good footballer.

"The manager wants hungry players, well he's got one here and several others in the changing room. This year I feel fresh and I'm ready for it but I still need to prove my fitness. I worked on the English timetable and did pre-season at Middlesbrough with my former Hibs manager Tony Mowbray, who I'm very grateful to. The gaffer knows my situation in terms of fitness but he knows I'm raring to go."

Inverness also lost to Motherwell and have not scored a goal but they have hit the woodwork three times in the two games and Butcher has been pleased with the way his ten new players have fitted in."

Dunfermline striker Andy Kirk, meanwhile, is hoping for a more memorable encounter when Inverness visit East End park after having only a hazy recollection of a difficult night against St Mirren on his return to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

After seven years' absence from the top flight, the former Hearts front man had to go off following a clash of heads with Saints midfielder Jim Goodwin.

His team-mates held on for a goalless draw but it was a difficult baptism for the SPL newcomers as St Mirren outplayed them, certainly in the opening period. But Kirk is confident Dunfermline will find their feet quickly as they adjust to a new level after a shorter-than-normal pre-season. Kirk, who netted in the 2-1 Scottish Communities League Cup win over Annan last weekend, said: "I enjoyed Saturday, got off the mark against Annan, and hopefully we can continue that."