Source: Team_Talk
Hibs boss confirms Brown capture
The Edinburgh outfit moved three points clear of Dundee United in third place in the SPL - with a game in hand over their Tayside rivals - thanks to an injury-time own goal from Jack Ross.[LNB]It was Hibs' second late victory in succession after Danny Galbraith's last-gasp winner at Celtic in midweek.[LNB]Hughes also confirmed his club had secured Brown, 28, on a two-and-a-half-year deal for no fee after his release from Celtic.[LNB]The experienced custodian will now fight it out with Graeme Smith, Graham Stack and Yves Ma-Kalambay for the Hibs number one spot - but the future of the latter pair is surely uncertain.[LNB]Hughes added: "We have signed Mark Brown from Celtic. He is a guy that, once again, has got the best years in front of him.[LNB]"I'm absolutely delighted to get him, the experience of being at Celtic will have helped him. I think I'm bringing in a real top-class 'keeper.[LNB]"The goalkeeping position has caused me concern, but they can all now go and fight for the jersey."[LNB]Brown is certainly moving to a team on form. After also beating Hamilton last weekend, Hibs have now racked up nine points in seven days to leave them just two points behind second-placed Celtic - prompting Hughes to hail the character of his charges.[LNB]While feeling for his ex-Falkirk defender Ross, who headed Ian Murray's cross into his own net, he said: "Good on the boys, it shows they kept going for it, showing spirit and character.[LNB]"The way it came about was a bit fortunate, you don't wish that on any team so I feel for St Mirren.[LNB]"But in the second half I felt we possibly merited the victory.[LNB]"It has been a hard week for us. I said to the boys that Wednesday's result meant nothing unless we won today and thankfully we did.[LNB]"Winning is a culture you are trying to set and it's coming. All credit to the boys, they have given me everything this week. I'm delighted for them, everyone played their part."[LNB]Hibs showed their spirit to rally from a ninth-minute own goal from Sol Bamba, who only returned from African Nations Cup duty with the Ivory Coast in the early hours of Saturday morning. Liam Miller smartly levelled on 33 minutes before the late drama.[LNB]Hughes added: "Sol came back this morning, early morning. We knew that, all the flights were arranged through Hibs.[LNB]"I saw Sol's disappointment in losing at the African Nations Cup, but it was just a matter of getting his mindset right.[LNB]"It was a wee gamble to take playing him, but with Sol being such a big player for us and his physical presence I felt it was important to get him in."[LNB]Dejected St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson hopes he can lift his side's spirits for Tuesday's Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final against Hearts after a fourth straight loss.[LNB]He said: "We are disappointed after putting so much into the game and competing against an extremely good Hibs team. But to lose a goal in the 92nd minute we're obviously going to be disappointed.[LNB]"We defended well, but probably had the best chance to go 2-0 up and we missed that.[LNB]"For long periods we competed well and we had other opportunities."[LNB]On new faces before Monday's midnight transfer deadline, MacPherson added: "I would hope to add at least one on Monday, but it's not finalised yet. It's an outfield player."[LNB][LNB]
