John Hughes not interested in Burnley, only the 'Holy Grail' with Hibs

JOHN Hughes feels flattered to be linked with the managerial vacancy at Burnley, but insists that his only interest at present is in staying at Hibernian and pursuing what he regards as "the Holy Grail" – a first Scottish Cup triumph in over a century.

• "The Scottish Cup has been outwith our grasp for 108 years. To win it for Hibs, you would go down in the history books" John Hughes

Hughes, whose team are at home to Irvine Meadow in tomorrow's fourth round of the cup, is used to being on a list of potential candidates every time a vacancy arises. He was mentioned in despatches when George Burley's time as Scotland manager came to an end, and this week he has been named as a possible successor to former colleague Owen Coyle as Burnley manager, with Coyle having agreed to join Bolton.

But, while happy to admit he has ambitions of managing in the English Premier League one day, Hughes said he aims to spend several years at Hibs, with that elusive cup victory among his main goals. Asked if he found being linked with vacancies flattering or an unwelcome diversion, he replied: "I find it both, actually.

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"I find it flattering. I have always said I am ambitious and I want to go down and manage in the English Premiership, but right at this moment in time, I have worked ever so hard to get this job.

"I've been a supporter of the club all my days, and I'd like to think I can be here for the next three or four years, five years and even beyond that. To do that you need to make sure you're winning football matches, and my only focus is on Hibs at this moment in time. You never say never in football. I am sitting here being honest and one or two will look at it and say 'oh oh', but I am perfectly happy at Hibernian football club, I have got a great working relationship with the board of directors and it's a work in progress.

"If I was to put a message out to the supporters it would be that I want to be here for the next four or five years." Hughes moved to Easter Road last summer from Falkirk, where his last game in charge was the Scottish Cup Final, in which his team lost to Rangers. Having grown up as a Hibs supporter, and knowing they have not won the cup since 1902, he is conscious he would go down in club history if he could be the manager to end that long run without success.

"I think that's the Holy Grail, to be the manager that ends that run as it's been outwith our grasp for 108 years," he continued. "Hibs have been to the final a few times.

"Even looking back at last year in the run we got at Falkirk and the build-up to it, I think that played a massive part in Falkirk staying in the SPL so it was great. Even though we were beaten, they were scenes that will stay with me for the rest of my days: the open-top bus, the whole town coming out to support us. You know what it means to the supporters, but to win it for Hibs, you would go down in the history books."

Hughes' team to play Irvine Meadow will include several players who need game time, with Kevin McBride, Kevin McCann, Lewis Stevenson and Abdessalam Benjelloun likely to figure. He warned Hibs supporters not to expect an easy afternoon against the Ayrshire juniors, insisting that he would prepare the team to apply themselves as professionally as usual.

"I know how difficult it's going to be. Just look at Leeds beating Manchester United – that's football and that's why we love it.

"If we win 1-0 and make sure we're in the hat for the next round I'll be delighted. We're going to have to be total professionals."