Hibs boss diverted Alan Gow from Aberdeen

HIBS boss John Hughes today revealed how the close relationship he enjoys with Alan Gow saw him pip Capital rivals Hearts and Aberdeen to the former Falkirk star's signature.

The 27-year-old was actually on his way to Pittodrie for talks just hours before the transfer deadline when Hughes, alerted by the player himself, made his move.

Hughes, of course, knows Gow well having taken the player from Airdrie to Falkirk when he was manager of the Bairns. Although he moved on to Rangers and from there to Plymouth Argyle, with loan spells at Blackpool and Norwich City in between, Hughes kept in close touch with him.

And the interest he continued to show in Gow's career paid dividends for Hughes as he snapped up the forward on a loan deal until the end of the season although the Hibs manager admitted the switch could then become permanent.

He said: "Ever since Alan moved to Rangers I've kept in touch, offering him a bit of guidance here and there.

"We knew about a month ago he was available but, at that time, we were looking at one or two other options and he knew that. But he kept us posted and last week he said Hearts had definitely come in for him and even when Jim Jefferies took over it was still a goer."

As the countdown to Monday's midnight deadline began, Hughes, his assistant Brian Rice along with chairman Rod Petrie based themselves at the club's East Mains Training Centre to be ready should there be any last-minute action.

The move paid off as Gow called Rice to tell him he was travelling, along with Jim Paterson and Steven McLean, from Plymouth to talk to Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee.

Hughes said: "I talked to the chairman, told him Alan wanted to come to Hibs and within ten minutes he was on to it and thankfully we got the deal done."

A delighted Gow, who goes straight into the squad for Saturday's Active Nation Scottish Cup tie against Montrose, said: "There had been other teams I was talking to but once I'd spoken to John Hughes I knew that I was only really interested in coming to Hibs.

"I really didn't want to go anywhere else."