Hearts debut for new Inverness manager John Hughes

Inverness new manager John Hughes with chariman Kenny Cameron. Picture: PA

New Inverness manager John Hughes admits he will make his Caley dugout debut at Hearts on Saturday.

Just three days after being confirmed as Terry Butcher’s successor, Hughes watched from the stand as the Highland outfit battled to a goal-less draw at St Mirren on Saturday, with coaches Duncan Shearer and Scott Kellacher taking the team.

But Hughes, a boyhood Hibs fan who went on to captain and manage the club, insists he will be back at the frontline this weekend as he prepares to renews his rivalry with the Gorgie outfit.

Hughes said: “I will be in the dugout on Saturday, I have always enjoyed going to Tynecastle, it is a great stadium with a great atmosphere and the supporters are right on top of you.

“They are very vocal and it is always a difficult venue.

“I purposely went in the stand against St Mirren as I saw the worth of Duncan Shearer and Scott Kellacher.

“It was a case of standing back and letting them carry on and they did a wonderful job.

“It was important we got that game out of the way.”

Hughes is well aware that Hearts will be hurting after conceding 11 goals in recent heavy defeats to Celtic and Dundee United.

He added: “It will be more difficult as in the last couple of games they have lost a lot of goals.

“They have to put that to a stop some time and lets hope it will be after Saturday.

“I know Gary Locke and Billy Brown well. Billy was once my coach and is a good friend of mine and I know what he will be putting into that team.

“Their team is mixed with three or four really good experienced players who I would not mind at my club.

“I am expecting a really difficult match and if we win it 1-0 I would be delighted.”