Hibs boss set to shake up squad

Published on Tuesday 9 February 2010 09:08

HIBS boss John Hughes admitted today his players are still not guaranteed their place in the starting line-up – despite winning their last five matches.

Hughes hinted that he may make changes to the side that started in the 5-1 Scottish Cup victory over Montrose at the weekend when his side take on Aberdeen in the SPL tomorrow night.

New boy Alan Gow impressed when he came on as a substitute against the Gable Endies on Saturday and played well along with Abdesallam Benjelloun in a bounce game at Hibs' training centre yesterday, while Hughes revealed that defender Sol Bamba has also looked sharp in training following the rigours of the Africa Cup of Nations.

If results go Hibs' way tomorrow, they could leapfrog Celtic into second place in the table and Hughes conceded that he may shuffle his pack against Mark McGhee's side in the vital league match.

He said: "I've had a right good response from my players in the last while and I thought that was the case with my substitutes at the weekend.

"Gowser came on and scored a great goal and wee Zouma did well when he came on.

"We also had a bounce game yesterday and I was watching Gow and Benji and they both did really well.

"Sol is also back training with us and he is looking sharp and fresh again as well. There are guys as well, who have maybe just missed out on a game in the last few weeks and competition for places is what keeps everyone on their toes.

"One player I have felt for in the last couple of weeks is Lewis Stevenson because he has just missed out. He can play at left-back, left midfield or on the left side of attack if we need him, but Ian Murray is also in there on that side and can play in any one those positions.

"Sometimes you have to look at making changes, even to a winning team and we'll be looking at how some of these guys have been performing in the bounce games and how they have been training."