Awesome: Hibs boss John Hughes blown away by new stand and pitch

• "It's all going to look absolutely magnificent" - John Hughes is impressed with the new East Stand. Picture: Neil Hanna

And, as he took what he described as "the best seat in the house", Hughes revealed he'd been equally taken by the sight of the new pitch growing below him.

Hughes insisted the Hibs ground will boast a pitch which will be "second to none" in Scotland by the time the new season kicks off with the Edinburgh club's first Europa League match.

The Easter Road pitch was heavily criticised – not least by Hibs striker Derek Riordan – last season but as work began on the 6,400-capacity East Stand, the pitch was dug up, widened by four metres and then seeded using wire wool beneath the surface to give the grass roots a greater hold. Although the new stand, which will take capacity at Easter Road to 20,250, won't be completed in time for the new season, Hughes believes that seeing the ground finally completed will act as an inspiration to players and supporters alike.

It is hoped the new stand will create "a wall of sound" as the players emerge from the tunnel opposite and, although it is still weeks away from completion, has already proved highly popular with many season ticket holders asking to move seats.

Today Hughes said: "It's fantastic, I was really taken aback. I sat about four rows down from the very back, right by the halfway line and that could be the best seat in the house.

"It was quite daunting but, now if we can fill it, Easter Road could become one of the best stadiums in Scotland. It's going to look fantastic and I'm hoping that is going to inspire everyone, supporters and players."

Hughes was just as pleased to see a lush, green surface below him, the result of half a ton of grass seeds having been sown. Accepting the pitch had deteriorated last season despite the best efforts of the club's groundsmen, he said: "Someone told me the pitch had been down for 15 years which is a very long time.

"There were problems, we were fully aware of that. It probably did hamper us a bit, but it was the same for both teams. There was a 'poison' that got in but you cannot simply wave a magic wand. But I can guarantee you we are going to have a big, beautiful pitch, one that will be second to none in Scotland.

"There's a wire wool underneath the surface which gives the roots plenty to hold onto which means there won't be too many divots. Then you see the bits and pieces that will be going on around it, the green astroturf which will be laid on the running track.

"It's all going to look absolutely magnificent."