Hibs boss happy to mix it with Mixu

The end of Paatelainen's 18-month reign at Easter Road paved the way for Hughes to take the job he'd always coveted but, he insisted today, there's no hard feelings between him and the big Finn.

The pair have remained firm friends since they played together under Alex McLeish in a green and white shirt, Hughes revealing he "really felt" for his big pal when he parted company with Hibs knowing how the former striker, like himself, saw being Hibs boss as the dream job.

He said: "It was a shame at the time and I really felt for Mixu, but that's football, it happens. I've the greatest respect for Mixu, he was a great team-mate and he's a big pal.

"Regardless of what happens tonight, I'm sure we'll have a beer together afterwards. But what happened last year shouldn't have any bearing on the game. It's not about Mixu Paatelainen against John Hughes but Kilmarnock against Hibs."

Hughes admitted he was looking forward to pitting his wits against Paatelainen, impressed by the work his former team-mate has already done at a club which avoided relegation only on the final day of last season.

The Hibs boss was an interested onlooker as Killie lost to Celtic on Sunday despite having led through a Conor Sammon goal, saying:

"They've got a few new players and I was impressed by them. They are organised, hard-working and spirited while Rugby Park is always a hard place to go. But I am looking forward to it and locking horns with Mixu."

While Paatelainen has enjoyed a somewhat surprising start to the season, one which has confounded those who were tipping Killie as relegation favourites, Hughes has, of course, found himself the target for the Easter Road boo-boys following a series of poor results although, he insisted, those disappointments haven't been a true reflection of his team's performances.

Adamant that victory tonight can kick-start Hibs' season, he said: "We've got to get ourselves going again, to stick together and battle away. Some of the stuff we have been playing has been good but we need to put it together for 90 minutes, to play with a real pride and passion.

"We are going to have to be at our best, to add a bit of pace and to make sure we play our 'A' game. It's a cup, we want to win it and tonight gives us that opportunity to take another step towards that target."

Hughes admitted he'd happily take extra-time and penalties if it meant a place in the quarter-final draw saying: "Whatever it takes as long as we emerge victorious.

"I'd be a happy guy if we can play some fantastic football, I'll never change my philosophy on the style of football I want us to play but we have to make it happen, to get on the ball, pass it and when we don't have it we have to work to get it back.

"We have to make sure the fundamentals are in place and then take it from there."

Hughes has David Wotherspoon, forced to limp off with a "dead leg" during the first half against Hamilton, striker Derek Riordan (calf knock) and Ian Murray (hip injury), as concerns ahead of kick-off although he was optimistic all three will come into contention.