Hibs boss snubs Scots to go on scouting trip

HIBS boss John Hughes will tonight put club before country as he passes up the chance to see Craig Levein's first match in charge of Scotland to concentrate on seeking out new talent for Easter Road.

Hughes was planning to head south rather than for Hampden as he and assistant Brian Rice continue their usual midweek schedule of taking in as many matches as possible in their search for possible signing targets.

Although he snapped up goalkeepers Graeme Smith and Mark Brown, along with striker Alan Gow, signed on a loan deal, during the January transfer window, Hughes admitted at that time his thoughts had already turned towards further acquisitions over the summer.

To that end both he and Rice, along with other members of the backroom staff, make frequent forays around the country checking on players who they believe warrant their attention.

While it means countless hours clocking up the miles on the country's motorways, it's a thoroughness to detail which has paid off for Hughes on numerous occasions in the past, an added bonus being the huge web of contacts he has built up and down the land.

Hughes, who had an opportunity to watch Active Nation Scottish Cup opponents Ross County at first hand dashed last night as their game at Queen of the South was postponed, acknowledged there would be plenty of talent on display at Hampden tonight.

But he insisted that with next to no chance of any of those playing being imminent arrivals at Easter Road, his time would be better spent elsewhere.

He said: "I'm a very patriotic Scot and I wish Craig all the best in everything he does with the national team.

"However, I'll be out and about, on the road, possibly on a wee trip down south."