John Hughes urges Paul Hanlon to get tough with Hibs strikers

The Easter Road boss believes the 20-year-old has all the makings of a top-class central defender but feels the youngster still lacks a "presence," allowing himself to be pushed off the ball too easily at times.

While Hughes has nothing but praise for the courage the player showed in playing his part in driving Hibs towards the Europa League despite suffering a pelvic problem which prevented him from training, he insisted Hanlon can become a major figure in the club's future. He said: "In terms of being a footballer Paul is great but it is evident what he needs to do, he needs to get a streak in him, to become a warrior out there.

"I know it is hard for a young boy to bully more senior players, guys who have been around the game for years but he needs to start doing it.

"In terms of football he has it all in front of him, he can be anything he wants to be. But the question is 'does he want it?'

"That's the question I am putting to him, doe he want it like his life depends on it or does he want to come in here and be happy to win one, lose one.

"We've all seen those boys who go onto the pitch at half-time, catch the ball on the back of their necks and backheel it ten times. Why do they not play in the SPL? Because they don't have that eye of the tiger that you need.

"Paul needs to become stronger, more explosive, quicker."

HIBS' Under-13 side bid to win the prestigious Trezzano International Tournament for the third year in succession when they fly to Milan on Thursday.