Hibs: We are facing the acid test, admits John hughes

Hughes takes his side to Ibrox on Sunday with visits to St Johnstone and Motherwell following in quick succession in what the Easter Road boss admitted was the club's toughest week of the season.

But Hughes insisted he was confident of seeing his players stand up to the rigorous examination they'll undergo "on the road", pointing to the never-say-die attitude which saw them fight back from two goals down to snatch a vital point against Aberdeen 48 hours ago.

However, Hughes agreed matches don't come any tougher than a trip to Ibrox, where Rangers will be determined not to concede any further ground to arch-rivals Celtic following their 1-1 draw at Fir Park.

While Rangers thumped Hibs 4-1 at Easter Road only a few weeks ago, Hughes insisted they'll travel along the M8 recalling their last visit to Govan, when an Anthony Stokes strike, one of his 15 so far this season, earned his side a point.

He said: "I'd say that match was one of the best games in Scotland this year. We carried a bit of luck but we could have won it in the end so hopefully it will be the same on Sunday."

Meanwhile, striker Kurtis Byrne has gone out on loan to Stirling Albion for a month, Hughes believing it will do the youngster no harm to follow a route once taken by the likes of Kenny Miller, Garry O'Connor and Derek Riordan.

He said: "It's part of his learning process. He needs competitive games, he has goals in him and he's another kid of whom we have high hopes."