Hibs boss John Hughes tells squad to make extra effort in bid to succeed

Published on Saturday 26 December 2009 10:09

HIBS boss John Hughes today urged his players to eat, breathe and sleep football if they want to make it in the game.

Hughes' fringe players and youths have travelled south in recent weeks to take on both Sunderland and Newcastle United in bounce games.

And the Easter Road manager is keen to keep up the spirits of players who are currently not getting a regular game for his side and has been giving them extra work to do in training.

Having been through the same scenario as a player himself, he knows how frustrating it can be to be sidelined on a regular basis and is keen to vary their routines as much as possible.

He said: "I'll do anything I can to keep these guys going, keep their spirits up and I think it's good to show them what it's like playing against the English teams.

"A lot of players in this game just come in, do their training and then head home. I want to see them getting as involved in things as they can, staying to do extra work in the gym or even going to see games at night.

"Four or five of my players went down to Manchester to watch their European game against Besiktas the other month and I think it's great to go down there to see a match because you come back inspired.

"I encourage that kind of thing and I tell my players to watch as much football as you can.

"If you're sitting in the house on a Tuesday night and there's a game on near you, then get out there and watch it.

"There's many a time I've been sitting in the house watching a game on the television and I will phone a couple of the players and ask them if they're watching it too.

"If they are I'll ask them what they thought about a certain move or tell them to watch a certain player.

"I'm looking for them to pick up on what they're doing, how they pass the ball.

"I've been in the football bubble for about 30 years now and I wouldn't change it for the world.

"Sometimes people think there not much to the game but there is a lot of education needed.

"You meet a lot of wonderful people and no two games are the same."