Source: Team_Talk
Hughes hopes cup can provide respite
Manager John Hughes has high hopes for Hibernian and is hoping the Co-operative Insurance Cup can provide solace for his players.[LNB] Hibs were booed off the pitch following successive 1-1 home draws against Inverness and Hamilton in the SPL which extended their winless Easter Road run to nine games in all competitions.[LNB]Tomorrow night's league cup clash with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park is the first of three straight away fixtures, with Hughes looking for a victory to ease the mounting pressure, as well as targeting a return of the trophy to Easter Road after the 2007 success.[LNB]"I don't know how other clubs or managers see the cup, I want to go and win it," said Hughes.[LNB]"It would be fantastic."[LNB]Kilmarnock were the opposition as Hibs won the league cup three-and-a-half years ago under John Collins with a 5-1 success at Hampden Park.[LNB]Hughes is determined to emulate that victory, despite the dissent which has been audible from the Hibs support in recent weeks.[LNB]"I'm desperate to bring silverware to this club and I'm desperate to be a success," he said.[LNB]"I've still got a vision, I've still got a plan - I'm just asking the supporters to get behind the team and support them.[LNB]"I can understand them booing the result but I wouldn't agree with them booing the effort and commitment of the players.[LNB]"We all take the pats on the back when it's going well - you just need to rise above it.[LNB]"You need to turn it into a siege mentality, into a positive.[LNB]"To do that you need real strength of character.[LNB]"If we can do that, I think it could be the making of us - we could turn it around and use it as a real positive."[LNB]Hughes hopes to turn Hibs' fortunes a full 180 degrees at Rugby Park, where they will come up against Killie boss Mixu Paatelainen, a former striker and manager for Hibs.[LNB]Paatelainen played up front for Hibs with Hughes, who succeeded him as boss at the club.[LNB]"I'm looking forward to locking horns with Mixu, a really good friend of mine," said Hughes.[LNB]"It's good to see him back in the game.[LNB]"I'm quite sure no matter what happens we'll have a beer after the game.[LNB]"But it would be nice for us to go down there and win - we need that win.[LNB]"We're not far away and I think it would kick start our season."[LNB]Hibs travel to Parkhead to meet Celtic on Saturday and play at St Johnstone the following week before the October international break.[LNB]Kilmarnock are the next league opposition to travel to Easter Road on October 16.[LNB]Hibs finished fourth in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League last season, qualifying for Europe.[LNB]Hughes' bid to build on that success has been tempered by the sale of Anthony Stokes to Celtic, plus a foot injury to Darryl Duffy, who was signed on loan from Bristol Rovers to take Stokes' place up front.[LNB]Other absentees have not helped his cause, with Derek Riordan (calf) and David Wotherspoon (dead leg) among the doubts for tomorrow's match.[LNB]Hughes has called for his side to show renewed character to earn the victory he craves.[LNB]"Maybe we punched above our weight last year and the expectation levels went up," said Hughes.[LNB]"It's all hands on deck at the moment - we've been dealt a couple of bad hands with the injury to Darryl Duffy and one or two other things, Stokesy leaving.[LNB]"I need guys to step up to the plate and roll their sleeves up.[LNB]"I'm trying to help them along."
