John Hughes fears one rule for Bamba, another for Drogba and Toure

Published on Tuesday 22 December 2009 23:09

JOHN Hughes says he will be "a very, very angry man" if Barclays Premier League teams are given permission to field their Ivory Coast stars on Monday after being told Sol Bamba cannot play in Sunday's clash with Rangers.

Defender Bamba has been ordered to link up with his country's African Nations Cup squad on the day of Hibs's game against the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions.

Easter Road manager Hughes is disappointed the Ivory Coast would not agree to give the 24-year-old an extra 24 hours grace, but accepts Fifa's 14-day release rule for the tournament which starts on 10 January.

However, he will be keeping a close eye on Monday's English top-flight games involving Chelsea, Manchester City and Portsmouth – as well as Arsenal's game on Sunday – to ensure there are no double-standards when it comes to the likes of Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure, Aruna Dindane and Emmanuel Eboue.

"If the Ivory Coast says everybody's to meet up on the 27th, fantastic," said Hughes. "But I'd be a very, very angry man if Sol went out on the 27th and I watched the English Premier League and there are one or two players playing on the Monday who represent the Ivory Coast."

He added: "There cannot be one rule for one and other rules for others. As long as it's right across the board, fair enough." Hughes said he had tried everything he could to secure Bamba's release, while the player himself also made a personal plea to Ivory Coast coach Vahid Halilhodzic.

"He certainly expressed his views to the manager that he wanted to come and play – he's desperate to play against Rangers," said Hughes, who nevertheless wished Bamba all the best in January. "Obviously, I think they've got a real opportunity to go and win it, so he could be away as long as five, six weeks."

Bamba has been one of Hibs' most impressive performers this year.

He was asked to step into an unfamiliar midfield role for much of last season under previous manager Mixu Paatelainen, but has settled back into his preferred berth in the centre of defence with consummate ease.

Bamba faced a tough task filling the void left by former Easter Road skipper Rob Jones, who left in the summer to sign for Scunthorpe, but his commanding presence and committed displays have ensured that supporters view him as a more than worthy replacement.

Hughes also believes that the experience Bamba is picking up on international duty has added a new dimension to his game.

"Every time Sol goes away with the Ivory Coast, I think having that experience and rubbing shoulders with the boys – Drogba and the other boys – who play in the English Premier League makes him a better player," he said.

"He's been pivotal to everything that we've done. He had to go and fill big (Rob] Jones' jersey, the skipper who was a stalwart for the club. I think he's done it very, very well.

"Don't forget, he's been nursing a knee problem. I'm just hoping he goes over there and has a real good, cracking tournament. I could be selfish and say: 'I hope they don't do well', but that's not my character. What it does is open the door for someone else.

"Big Paul Hanlon's been playing left centre-half in bounce matches; he's been working very hard in the gym. Also, Ian Murray can go in there, young Lewis Stevenson can play left-back, and Steven Thicot has not had an opportunity. Whoever goes in there is getting flung right in at the deep end.

"You're playing against the league leaders, Scottish champions, who have hit really good form. If you go in there and it fazes you or you're scared of it then you shouldn't be at the club. Because if you want to be a winner, you should be going in there and being inspired, and saying: 'Bring it on.'"