John Hughes hopes to tie up others as Ian Murray extends his stay at Hibs

AFTER sealing a new deal to keep Ian Murray at Hibernian, manager John Hughes is set to offer fresh contracts to others provided they maintain a positive attitude. Other players who will be out of contract in the summer include striker Abdessalam Benjelloun and midfielder Patrick Cregg, but Hughes said yesterday he does not plan a major clear-out.

"There won't be too many leaving this club," he said. "Not for what they've given me.

"Benji and Patrick have maybe found themselves a little bit unfortunate to be out the team, but they're everything you want at the club. Benji brings a smile to my face when I see him coming in in the morning because he's always vibrant. There are times when you have to kick him up the backside, but I've really enjoyed working with him, and I think I can get more out of him."

Hughes takes his team to Perth tonight for a rearranged league match against St Johnstone, knowing a Hibs victory will cut their deficit on second-placed Celtic back down to two points. He also knows, however, that such a result is by no means guaranteed.

"It's not going to be easy. The last time we played St Johnstone they turned us over at Easter Road.

"They're a good side. They mix their game up well and have good organisation, so we're going to have to go there and let them know we mean business."

Kevin McBride is unavailable because of the hamstring injury incurred in Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Ibrox, but Hibs are otherwise at full strength. Hughes is likely to choose a different permutation up front, but his back four tends to pick itself, and he is happy Murray will be part of that defence for the next two seasons following this one.

"He's Hibs through and through, so I'm delighted to get him tied up," the manager said of the full-back-cum-centre-half. "He's got the qualities that can take us where we want to go.

"He's had a wonderful season up to now, and if he keeps going in the next two years and gives me what he's given me this year, great. His versatility in terms of playing in a number of positions really helps you get more attacking players on the bench as well."

Having agreed a new contract, Murray hopes he can be part of a team which goes on to prove that its good form this season was not a one-off. "It's easy for us to have one season and sit maybe in third or fourth place, but the consistency comes if you can do that year after year," he said. "Dundee United are the only club who have consistently shown over the last few years that they are in third, fourth or fifth spot. Ourselves, Aberdeen and Hearts have all been in and out of the top six.

"We've obviously got the cup, the hoodoo that everybody talks about hanging over us and has hung over us long enough, and the fans are desperate to win that. But ... it's all about league position. That's where you build your platform from, so that's our main objective."

Hughes' success in his first season at Easter Road played a large part in encouraging Murray to stay, and the player is sure the manager will eventually move on to a higher level. "I've got no doubt the manager is happy here, but I'm sure he's looking past Hibs as well to go on to better things and bigger clubs," Murray added. "I believe he probably will do in the next four or five years, but at the moment he's building a good squad here."