Hibs: It's snow joke for Hughes

HIBS' preparations for Sunday's noon showdown with SPL leaders Rangers were thrown into disarray today with the heavy overnight snowfall leaving even boss John Hughes struggling to make the training ground.

• Heavy snow could cause a festive headache for Hibs boss John Hughes

Although Hughes lives just ten minutes from the centre at East Mains on the outskirts of Tranent he found himself, like thousands of others, fighting against the elements which left roads throughout the Lothians in a treacherous state.

And with his assistant Brian Rice taking some two hours to cover a journey which normally takes just 40 minutes, Hughes revealed his players were being told not to put themselves at risk. He said: "It will be a head count, that's for sure, to see how many make it in. I'm sure all the boys will try to get there but we have to be sensible and I'm sure there will be a few phone calls as some find it simply impossible to do so.

"I struggled myself to get in having been stuck in traffic but it will be a case of getting in, seeing who turns up and getting our work done. It's certainly not what you want in the lead up to such a big game."

Hughes admitted he might have to rethink his plan to give his players Christmas Day off depending on the impact the weather has on today's training session with the squad having already enjoyed Monday off.

He said: "At this time of year the one thing the players are is fit so the odd day off here and there won't do them any harm. But it is also imperative we get out on that pitch, or at least get together, in terms of shaping the team and that will happen.

"If it means coming in on Christmas Day then so be it."