Final-day reward is worth the wait for embattled Hibs boss John Hughes

HIBERNIAN manager John Hughes praised his players for completing the job of qualifying for Europe despite a dreadful recent run of form and described the achievement as a "deserved" reward for their efforts over the course of the season.

The manager had been kept informed of Motherwell's comeback against Rangers to make it 3-3 towards the end of yesterday's match at Tannadice, but had been relieved to hear it was the final result. Few would have believed the thought of Hibs being reduced to such desperation earlier this season.

During the first half of the campaign it seemed Hibs could even push to separate the Old Firm, but an abysmal string of results since mid-February had them scrabbling yesterday to finish even fourth. Last Wednesday's 6-6 draw with Motherwell, having been four goals up with less than half an hour to play, also weighed on the players' minds yesterday.

This was especially so in the case of Graeme Smith, who kept his place in goal.

However, Hughes said: "I thought in the end we were quite calm and collected. I think the boys deserved to get the fourth spot. We have played some great stuff throughout the season. We have got goals in our team but I thought we defended manfully to secure a clean-sheet today, especially after the other night.

"Buzz (Smith] looked assured, and it was a real test of his character after Motherwell."

"We have set high standards and raised expectations here, so we have to be big enough to handle that. I am delighted we have got that European spot."

Hughes singled out Colin Nish, who he described as an "unsung-hero". The striker has finished on 12 goals for the season, with five of them coming in his last two games. These crucial strikes have seen him burrow back into the affections of the supporters. Nish, himself a Hibs fan, last week suggested 95 per cent of the Easter Road faithful don't know what they're talking about when it comes to tactics.

"He made a flippant remark," said Hughes. "But we have all said something we regret. He's a lovely big lad and he has certainly played a big part."

With a Scottish Cup final against Ross County looming on Saturday, United were perhaps distracted by the impending trip to Hampden. However, their manager Peter Houston dismissed suggestions that his selection policy had made it easier for Hibs to achieve their aim of European qualification.

Houston defended his line-up, with skipper Andy Webster and midfielder Morgaro Gomes left out. Strikers Jon Daly and David Goodwillie, meanwhile, remained on the bench.

"We made six changes a couple of weeks ago against Rangers and drew 0-0 – it is not as if we did it just for this one game," he said. "We have done this over a number of weeks. It is not only now. Today we had Casalinuovo and Shala up front who are both first-team players and three of our back four have played in the last couple of games.

"But credit to the players," Houston added. "It's been a great season and it's not over yet. They deserve nothing but praise. Going into a cup final after being beaten does not really matter. The big squad allowed me to rest some players and I am glad to report no injuries today."

Motherwell, whose own European hopes now rest on United beating Ross County in the final, will hope Houston's side prove too strong for their First Division opponents.