Grounds for optimism: Hibs boss thinks following the way of Barcelona should be Hibs' blueprint

OK, on the face of it, there is something surreal about the thought of a Hibs squad which has struggled since it burned itself out with a blistering start to last season striving to emulate the current cream of European football. But everything is relative. There is no suggestion that blending one or two new players into the Hibs squad will bestow on them all the mesmerising powers of Leo Messi, Xavi and Co but the example is there.

It was last weekend, before Grounds, Francis Dickoh and Darryl Duffy joined and Anthony Stokes departed, that Hughes had talked of possible change. To his tactics rather than the playing personnel. "I like to play a style of football that is expansive and good on the eye," he said. "But, maybe we are not as good as we think we are and it may be I have to start picking a team that is hard to beat."

People interpreted that as notice of a possible move away from the passing game he has always advocated. But no, now he wants his men to mimic Barcelona. "We will never ditch it but we do have to mix it up," said Hughes. "That's what I was saying. We need to change things a wee bit but it doesn't happen overnight. I have to instil belief in them about the passing style and that is what I have been trying to do since I came to the club but we also have to set a standard and a culture so that no matter where we go, we are always at it."

Which is where the Catalan glitterati come into the equation. They are the successful role models when it comes to finding a mix of expansive football and a winning spirit. "These guys are multi-millionaires yet they still show a desire and willingness to be winners. I noticed it when I played with Celtic and you talk to guys who play with the Old Firm and every game is a must-win and that's what I'm trying to create here and if that means bringing in players with that character as well as instilling it in the ones we have then so be it. If it means setting standards then so be it and if certain ones can't handle it and don't have that character then we will just have to keep moving one or two in and out until I can build a team that can go out with the mindset to win every week and train properly every day.

"If Barcelona lose possession they are brilliant at getting it back. If you do your homework, they work on a five second get-back.When they lose the ball they have to get it back within five seconds and that's multi-millionaires you are talking about, guys like Messi, and if it is good enough for these guys then it is good enough for us."

Putting in the graft to complement the guile, it's the way Hughes wants to see his men perform and, while there will be sceptics, the players are on board, according to Grounds, who was a schoolboy watching from the stands as Juninho illuminated the Riverside for Middlesbrough. As he progressed through the academy he was indoctrinated with the passing philosophy preached on a daily basis and in the reserves, it was the skill of Gaizka Mendieta he marvelled at. Learning that Hibs adhered to such principles was a key factor in agreeing to the current six-month loan spell. "We all hope (Hughes] does not ditch the passing philosophy. I think a lot of the boys have bought into it. We're never going to get as good as Barcelona are but if we can head in that direction it will be good for the team."

It's all a case of building towards something, according to Hughes, who knows there are nay-sayers and plenty of rumblings about his long-term future if fortunes do not turn quickly. "Hibs have gone through six or seven managers in the last ten years but what we really need at this club is some continuity. We need a real vision on where we are going and how we get there and a realisation that it doesn't happen overnight. I came in here and the (Rob] Jones and (Steven] Fletcher deals had already been done and they were on their way and we needed to regroup. We brought Stokesy in and he got 22 goals for us and did fantastic and we played some real good football and when we were at it people were saying 'oh aye'. In between that the stadium was being redeveloped and there have been ten players who have left and not all of them have been out of contract. We have had to wheel and deal and we have done that with a helping hand from the chairman. We know that when we go and play against St Mirren we have no divine right to win a football match. I keep telling the players we have to earn that right, so to go and play St Mirren and hear the fans booing it's a bit off-putting.

"Even last year (Merouane] Zemmama only played five 90 minutes for us and the fans and players have to look at the bigger picture. Of the ten that left us, Benji (Abdeslam Benjelloun] is playing in Eygpt and (David] Van Zanten is at St Mirren and I couldn't tell you where the rest of them are so I tell the players to appreciate what they have got here and work hard to keep it.All that takes it back to having to create a winning culture."

For that to happen there will have to be greater consistency of performance, a need to play their passing game at a higher tempo and combine it with a steeliness and robust desire not just to win but to compete in a way that will ensure that outcome."

Which is where the likes of Grounds, Dickoh and Duffy fit in, according to Hughes.

"We have to toughen up and I think we have to bring that character and those kind of winners to the club. I get frustrated and exasperated at times when things don't go our way but I still have the desire to take this club as far as it can go. That takes time and I just hope there is an understanding from the supporters. If they look at the points I have put across and if they are intelligent enough then they will get on board. I think there has been massive progress since we came but the trouble is that greater expectations can be a very, very dangerous thing."

The thing is, the Messis and Xavis of this world know how to rise to meet them.