Hibs can fly high at Ibrox, but Hughes' feet are on ground

Published on Thursday 22 October 2009 23:35

JOHN Hughes is proud of his grounded upbringing in Leith, something he believes lends him a firm sense of perspective in football.

So it was no surprise yesterday to find the Hibs manager putting up unbreakable resistance in the face of a media pack understandably hungry for him to enthuse about the prospect of his team going to the top of the SPL tomorrow afternoon.

As encouraged as Hughes has been by a start to the season which sees Hibs currently just two points behind champions and current league leaders Rangers ahead of their fixture at Ibrox, he is adamant that his players remain a considerable distance from fulfilling the hopes he has for them.

Treating every question as if it was a hand grenade, Hughes succeeded in avoiding any response which could have been construed as either over-confidence or arrogance ahead of the showdown with a Rangers side under severe pressure following their midweek Champions League defeat at home to Unirea Urziceni.

"I aspire to things, but I'm not going to sit here and set myself up," said Hughes. "Let's keep our feet firmly on the ground. You can ask those questions, but I will get my answers by 4:45pm on Saturday. It's a nice position to be in. It tells us we are doing not too bad. But I won't sit here and say this or that about Saturday's game. The biggest questions will be the ones asked of my team."

Hughes, perhaps, is mindful of the last time Hibs flirted with notions of posting a significant challenge to the Old Firm at the top of the SPL. In October 2007, they won 1-0 at Ibrox under John Collins to briefly reach the summit, but then proceeded to win only one of their next 13 league fixtures, eventually finishing sixth. Even the fairly innocent enquiry as to when he was last involved with a team who topped the table, Hughes maintained his defensive guard.

"I couldn't tell you," he replied. "You are all trying, are you not? Do you want the serious answer to this? Can I swear at you? We are f****** eight games into the season. That's the answer. We have done nothing yet. This is a marathon; you are getting nothing from me on that today. Let's come away from the Old Firm and talk about Hibs.

"My job is to build a team here which the Hibs supporters want to see. I think we have to play a style of football which, for me, identifies with what the fans want; which is an open, attractive style.

"The fans need to see young players come through the ranks and I also believe it is my job to make sure the supporters enjoy their couple of pints on a Saturday night.

"If that means playing attractive football and winning matches, then I'm a happy guy. Where it takes us remains to be seen. That's a cracking answer, isn't it?

"This isn't me being blas. I'm quite a humble guy and have a bunch of boys who are hard working and are starting to appreciate what they get if they put the work in. I have seen an improvement since the start of the season. That's credit to the players. But in terms of my vision of where I see this club and where I want to take it, we are still a long way away.

"Can we go to Ibrox and win on Saturday? I'd like to think I have that belief in my dressing room. For the Hibs fans who are going to the game, it would be nice if we could go there and express ourselves. Do we need a bit of luck? Absolutely, plenty of it.

"It has been done before, so fingers crossed that we might carry luck and bring back three points. One thing I will say is that with Madjid Bougherra and Pedro Mendes missing – who are two quality players – it gives us a better chance of winning."

For all that he recognises the potential vulnerability of a Rangers side deprived of two of their key men, Hughes is not prepared to join in the chorus of condemnation which greeted the Ibrox club's humiliation against Unirea.

"I was at the game on Tuesday and Unirea were no mugs," he said. "They are a really good side. They are champions of Romania, their ball retention and technical ability was very, very good.

"You could never have predicted the goals which Rangers conceded or that they would miss a penalty. It just wasn't Rangers' night.

"I have so much respect for Walter Smith, his staff and for Rangers as a club. I also have respect for their players. I have to make sure I have my tactical head on when we go to Ibrox.

"I have to do what is best for Hibs and try to stay in the game for as long as we can. We are playing against the Scottish champions in their own backyard. That's enough of a challenge. We will have to carry a lot of luck to get something out of the match."

Despite a minor cold which has affected some of his players this week, Hughes has a fully fit squad to choose from this weekend.