Source: Team_Talk
Hibs boss shuns talk of third spot
Two goals in four minutes from Derek Riordan and Merouane Zemmama ended Motherwell's unbeaten SPL record and consolidated Hibs' grip on third place.[LNB]Hughes claimed, perhaps disingenuously, his side were not ready to challenge for third spot but he was delighted with his players' work rate at Fir Park on Saturday.[LNB]Motherwell had fought back well after Colin Nish gave the visitors a ninth-minute lead on the counter attack and stayed on top after Mark Reynolds headed them level in the 35th minute.[LNB]But Hibs were comfortable after Zemmama's 55th-minute free-kick and could have scored more.[LNB]"I have been here three months now, giving everybody a chance in terms of systems," Hughes said.[LNB]"Some of them would like more game time but I'm starting to find out a lot about them.[LNB]"We came here with a right attacking side but it's horses for courses; it won't always be that team that wins you a football match, but it worked for us.[LNB]"I'm not getting carried away. We need consistency and need to make sure that we're not getting bullied and are working hard."[LNB]Zemmama caught out John Ruddy at his near post to score from an unlikely angle before celebrating his goal in front of the Motherwell fans.[LNB]The Moroccan later appeared to further inflame the situation with a gesture but claims he was trying to apologise before a missile was thrown near him from the East Stand.[LNB]The incident failed to undermine his joy over having a huge influence on his first start for Hibs in 18 months.[LNB]The 25-year-old, who spent last season on loan in the United Arab Emirates, intends to further repay Hughes for respecting his beliefs during Ramadan.[LNB]"Thanks for the gaffer for understanding the great month we have," Zemmama said.[LNB]"He understands the situation and made me play only for 30 minutes because, if I played the whole game when I was fasting, it would affect my body. I hope I will give him everything back."[LNB]Well boss Jim Gannon felt some of his players had failed to carry out his instructions as he suffered his first domestic defeat.[LNB]Motherwell's excellent start to the campaign had raised expectations among some players and fans, but not Gannon.[LNB]"I don't think anybody had any illusions that we were strong enough squad-wise or as a club to challenge for third," he said.[LNB]"All I want to do is get the best out of my players, for us to be competitive and then, as the season goes on, to improve.[LNB]"With the experience we're giving the players, we're looking forward to this young side growing. Where we end up at the end of the season is not for me to say.[LNB]"There are other clubs, such as Hibs, who are financially stronger and have a more experienced squad. You would expect them to finish higher than us."[LNB][LNB]
