Alistair Stevenson keen to focus on future rather than Hughes' downfall

Such is the force of John Hughes' personality that his absence was difficult to ignore yesterday as Hibernian hosted a first pre-match briefing since the manager departed the club just under a fortnight ago.

It was left to Alistair Stevenson, the highly regarded Under-19 coach at the Easter Road club, to front the press conference. He managed to studiously avoid using Hughes' name as he followed the party-line.

Hibs, it was clear, are attempting to move on after parting ways with Hughes, but it is plainly difficult to blot out someone who was such a force of nature, and who lived and breathed the club.

Outside the room where reporters gathered to speak with Stevenson there was another reminder of the former manager, whose face stared out from the montage of photographs in the corridor. Blood streamed from his mouth. Somehow, the club seems blanched without him.

Stevenson and the players have had two weeks to get used to it. The hope is that this overhaul at the helm might help inject a new dynamism, with Stevenson having been joined by Gareth Evans, the first-team coach under Hughes, in a new managerial partnership.

It is, however, on a game-by-game basis, though they can make their mark tomorrow against Kilmarnock at Easter Road. Hibs have not won at home since March and the fans crave having something to cheer.

Stevenson claims to have had no thought of being in charge past this weekend, never mind on a permanent basis. "We have only one thing in mind, we are just focused on this game," he said.

"It would be amiss to start dreaming about other things. It was a case of, 'Can we take the team, and get them in the right shape physically and mentally?' That is what we have done."

Stevenson has urged the supporters to get behind players who have started to suffer from the increased pressure placed on them each time they step out at Easter Road.

"The crowd is the 12th man," he said. "If we get the players playing right from the first whistle then we can get the crowd on their feet, and right behind us. That would be a great lift."

Lawrie Reilly, who launched his autobiography at Easter Road yesterday, remarked on how fortunate he had been to play for the club at a time when the fans had little to complain about.

However, his side were winning league titles, while the Hibs supporters now must simply hope for a victory at their own ground. It has become harder to accept with each passing week.

"Players are players," continued Stevenson. "When they hear the roar of the crowd it urges them on and gives them confidence. The last thing they want to hear is the crowd getting frustrated.

"You want to hear them support the club and support the players.If they do that then they'll get a performance and they can be proud of their team again."

Stevenson, who led the Hibs Under-19 team to the double two seasons ago, is clearly qualified to motivate players. He insists the side are too good to be involved in a relegation battle and is confident that the up-turn in fortunes can begin this weekend against Mixu Paatelainen's side.

Hibs have been boosted by the return to training of defender Ian Murray and midfielder Danny Galbraith. "Gareth and I have changed a few things in the past weeks, in a bid to freshen things up," he said. "Everybody needs to be focused not on what has happened in the past, but on the way going forward. What has happened in the past has happened - there were a lot of good things, and some unfortunate things, possibly."

There will be some trace of Hughes in Hibs' play tomorrow, promised Stevenson. He did not make specific reference to the former manager, just the style of play he strove to deliver.

"We'll be taking all the good practises that have been there," he added. "We want the team to pass the ball. They are naturally talented players, and we want them to be entertaining. If we entertain then we get the fans behind us, and we are on the right road."