It's down to us: Hughes defiant over Hibs' Euro hopes in SPL finale

A horrendous run of results – just two wins in 13 matches – has naturally dominated many of the Easter Road club's headlines in recent weeks.

But Hughes claimed that record shouldn't be allowed to overshadow the fact that, going into this weekend's fixtures, his side remain two points ahead of Motherwell and six in front of the Jambos, with those two teams clashing at Tynecastle this afternoon. As he put the final preparations together for his own side's encounter with SPL champions-elect Rangers at Easter Road tomorrow, Hughes said: "It's perhaps been forgotten that we are where we are – fourth in the table – on merit.

"If you flipped our season over people would be raving about us. But that's history, we have to concentrate on looking forward and getting back to winning ways."

While conceding his side face a difficult task in trying to do so against a Rangers team which can wrap up a second successive title – which may come even before the 2.30pm kick-off if Celtic fail to beat Dundee United earlier in the day – Hughes insisted his entire focus was simply on doing exactly that, brushing aside a request to reflect on what the best-case scenario might be as his side take to the field, Rangers already celebrating or knowing they still have to get over that finishing line.

He said: "Dundee United against Celtic doesn't concern me one bit. All our focus is on Rangers and, no matter what the outcome is elsewhere, we have to make sure the three points stay at Easter Road.

"It's not rocket science, we need to win matches but we are where we want to be at this stage of the season, playing the Old Firm and another Edinburgh derby. It's a test of character but hopefully we'll come up trumps."

Although he will be without the suspended Sol Bamba, Hughes revealed he could be boosted by the return of skipper Chris Hogg and midfielder Patrick Cregg while he's hopeful Republic of Ireland internationalist Liam Miller will prove his fitness in training today.

The former Celtic, Manchester United and Sunderland midfield ace missed the match against the Hoops through suspension, although he'd have been out with a calf injury in any case. Hughes, though, revealed that Miller will have to give him the thumbs-up later today as he won't wait for a fitness test tomorrow morning. He said: "I'm reluctant to do fitness tests on match day. Liam needs to train today and if there is no reaction then we'll decide whether or not he plays. Chris trained again yesterday, he's the club captain and it would be nice to get him back.

"Sol will be missing but, hopefully, Chris will fill that void."