John Hughes expects full backing from board over transfers

Published on Saturday 23 January 2010 10:23

HIBS boss John Hughes today hailed chairman Rod Petrie and his board of directors as 'the best in the business'.

The Easter Road manager, who signed goalkeeper Graeme Smith at the beginning of the month, is keen to further strengthen his side before the end of the January transfer window.

And, having seen his players put together a run of results that saw them race into third place in the SPL table at Christmas, Hughes is also well aware of the fact members of his own squad may be subject to bids from other clubs.

However, Hughes revealed that Petrie and the Hibs board give him their full support when it comes to dealings in the transfer market and take the pressure off – leaving him to fully focus on team matters.

He said: "If people come in for our players then it means the boys have been doing well and, if they're doing well, then everyone is benefiting from it because the whole thing is a business.

"I am working with a chairman and a board of directors who I think are the best in the business.

"That side of things is left up to them, I just really get on with coaching the players and trying to get the best out of them."

Meanwhile, Hughes believes defender Paul Hanlon can benefit from playing alongside the experienced Ian Murray in the Hibs defence.

Hughes has been quick to praise the youngster for his contribution in training and in matches and has been delighted by his reaction to what has been a steep learning curve.

Hughes continued: "Ian Murray is probably a better left-back going forward than Paul Hanlon and Ian, because of that bit of extra experience, also knows how to play that centre-half position.

"This is a real learning curve for Paul but there's no doubt he will turn into a left centre half.

"He just needs to get to know all of the cons and he has done great for me in the games he's played this season.

"He is a player you want to work with.

"He still has a bit to go in terms of how to learn the game but any apprenticeship is a four or five-year thing for me.

"This is Paul's third year with us and his first as a professional so he has still got a couple of years learning in him."