Hughes plays down Barr move talk

10 December 2009 17:46
It has been claimed both Hearts and Hibs are ready to pounce for the Scotland defender, whose existing deal with the Bairns expires next summer.[LNB]Hughes brought Barr, 24, through the ranks at Falkirk before quitting as manager to take charge at Easter Road.[LNB]He said: "He's a player that I admire, that's for sure, and I player I gave his opportunity in the first team and gave him the captain's armband.[LNB]"You're always looking to enhance your squad.[LNB]"We'd all love to bring certain players to the club but it's not always possible, because of the current climate in terms of revenue and finance."[LNB]Hughes is in the market for a defender, however, and has confirmed he is considering snapping up an unnamed New Zealander, who has been on trial with the club this week.[LNB]"He's been with us for seven days, he's acquitted himself very well," Hughes said. "He can play anywhere right across the back four.[LNB]"I have to sit down now and see if he's any better than what we've got - he's not any worse, that's for sure.[LNB]"It's all about spinning plates; if you bring him in, does that allow you to bring another one in?"[LNB]Hibs will be a man down at the back when Sol Bamba leaves for African Nations Cup duty at the end of the month.[LNB]Hughes is hopeful of persuading Ivory Coast boss Vahid Halilhodzic to let the centre-back play in the Christmas clash with Rangers.[LNB]The match takes place on December 27, the day on which Hibs are required to release Bamba under FIFA rules.[LNB]Hughes said: "It's rumbling on. It's something that we're pursuing and hopefully we'll get the nod.[LNB]"I'm hoping that common sense prevails here because they meet up on the 27th, we play on the 27th.[LNB]"We've got an early kick-off and I'm quite sure you're only talking about him being a few hours late.[LNB]"Then he goes away with all our best wishes.[LNB]"He's been exceptional for Hibs this year and I think he'll be a great success in the African Nations Cup - every chance they can go on and win it with the quality of their team.[LNB]"We'll miss him, that's without doubt. But I think he always comes back a better player when he's been away with the national team."[LNB]Hughes has backed the rest of his squad to fill to void left by Bamba, saying: "I've been very impressed with Paul Hanlon since I've come to the club, a player that got himself in for the first four or five games at the start of the season.[LNB]"He can go and play in there, Ian Murray can go and play in there, Lewis Stevenson can cover us at left-back, so we've got plenty of cover.[LNB]"They're working ever so hard on the training pitch to show me they want that place in the starting XI."[LNB]Hibs will travel to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday without Kevin McBride, who has failed to shake off an ankle problem.[LNB]Hughes faces a selection poser if goalkeeper Graham Stack recovers from a back injury after Yves Ma-Kalambay kept a clean sheet in last weekend's win over Falkirk.[LNB]He said of Stack: "If there's no reaction when he trains tomorrow, then I've got that dilemma."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk