David Wotherspoon must raise game – Hughes

HIBS boss John Hughes has told Easter Road kid David Wotherspoon he'll be expected to up his game when he returns for pre-season training.

Although the 20-year-old enjoyed a stunning first season, Hughes has warned the midfielder he can't afford to rest on his laurels if he's to fulfil the vast potential he has displayed thus far.

Having turned his back on Celtic at the age of 16, believing he'd enjoy a better chance elsewhere the Perth-born player's intuition paid off as he became part of Hibs all-conquering Under-19 side which swept to an unprecedented League and Cup double.

His performances in achieving that feat won Wotherspoon a first-team contract but even he admitted as the season drew to an end he could never have envisaged what lay ahead.

He enjoyed a memorable debut, scoring as Hibs came from behind to beat St Mirren on the opening day of the season before going on to play a further 36 times, mostly in the unfamiliar position of right-back.

His performances earned him promotion to the Scotland Under-21 squad as Hibs clawed their way to fourth in the SPL table and with it a place in next season's Europa League.

Now, though Hughes will be demanding much more, believing Wotherspoon, who had his contract extended after just a few months of first team football, can carve out a glittering career.

The Hibs manager said: "I hope 'D' goes from strength to strength, what he has done in an alien position has been remarkable.

"But I have told him I will be strengthening the squad and he'll have to raise his own standards. David isn't just a great player, he has terrific energy levels but he has to keep developing."