Hibs boss calls on squad to copy Manchester United

HIBS boss John Hughes wants his players to follow the example of Manchester United by ensuring they put as much effort into their training sessions as they would a competitive match.

Hughes reckons that his side would reap the benefits if they treated their everyday training schedules in the same way they do an SPL or cup match and he wants to see his players giving their all, not only to give themselves a shout of a place in the team on a Saturday, but of building up a real fighting spirit in the side.

Hughes said: "I told the boys the other day about Manchester United and the way that they work. The level of intensity in their training sessions is so high that their senior players get more out of a session than they would in a reserve game because they put absolutely everything into it.

"That's what I want to see from my boys, I want to see them give 100 per cent and, to be fair to them, they have started to do that.

"We usually have a recovery session on a Monday, but the boys who weren't playing or who were on the bench have more work to do. I have got a really fit squad here and they were going hammer and tongs in training yesterday, and that was great to see. It's not just Manchester United who work that way, it's stuff like that you pick up from the top sides all over Europe."

And Hughes reckons that criticism thrown at his side in recent weeks could even make Hibs a stronger unit, adding: "I used to use that kind of thing as motivation when I was a player. If someone told me that I couldn't do something it would make me even more determined. I think that kind of siege mentality can help you."