Hughes: Hibs must emulate top stars

Published: 26 Dec 2009 - 13:52:00

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Hughes has already transformed the fortunes of Hibs since taking charge of his boyhood idols this summer, leading them to third in the table with almost half the season gone. After struggling to make the top six in recent times, the Edinburgh club now look all but certain to secure a Europa League spot, while a 12-match unbeaten run has kept them very much in touch with Rangers and Celtic at the summit. Hughes maintains his side are a work in progress and believes that to improve further, they must follow the example of other clubs, as well as people from outside of the world of football. To that end, the Hibs boss wants his players to strive to pass the ball like Josep Guardiola's Barcelona, demonstrate the passion of Bill Shankly's Liverpool and train with the same dedication WBA light-welterweight champion Khan showed preparing for his recent title defence. Speaking ahead of Sunday's clash with SPL leaders Rangers, Hughes said: "You have to take your players back into the classroom and show them video footage of other teams. "If you watch Barcelona, you just need to watch 10-15 minutes of that in terms of how they pass the ball. "But also when they lose it, they just go and get it back. "It's up to these players to grasp the concept of what's required and, as soon as they do that, they're better players." Of Liverpool, who recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Shankly's arrival at Anfield, Hughes added: "I was watching a wee bit of Bill Shankly the other day. "What he gave to Liverpool - great, fantastic, and that'll never be repeated. "He instilled in them, first and foremost, what it meant to play for Liverpool. "But, secondly, what it meant to the public of Liverpool and the Liverpool supporters. "And when you've got that, you go out and play with that passion for the club." Hughes has also noted the sacrifices boxers make preparing for a big fight, singling out Khan's regime ahead of his victory over Dmitriy Salita earlier this month. "I bet he was training three, four times a day," Hughes said. "I bet he started early morning, doing other stuff at night. "Why's it different for a professional footballer? "We have to peak every week but, in terms of your lifestyle and your mindset, go and give it everything you've got. "Why not give it everything you've got?" Former Hibs, Celtic and Falkirk defender Hughes added: "I'm only preaching like this because I wish I could start all over again at 16, I really do. "It's up to me to pass it all on to these players and try to inspire them. "When you're winning football matches and playing with confidence and enjoying it and playing with a smile on your face then it's a case of realising what you've got. "I keep saying to the players, the grass isn't greener anywhere else. You're at a wonderful club and a wonderful place with great fans. "Let' make sure we all stick together, 'One for all and all for one', and see where it takes us." Hibernian v Rangers. Click here to bet.