Source: Team_Talk
Hughes makes case for juniors
This weekend sees Hibs host Stagecoach Super League Premier Division side Irvine, the last remaining junior club in the competition.[LNB]Hughes began his playing career at Arbroath but was forced to take a step back to Scottish Junior Football Association outfit Newtongrange Star before returning to the professional ranks.[LNB]However, the Hibs boss would not have had it any other way, saying: "It was absolutely fantastic.[LNB]"I signed for Arbroath when I was 16, lasted a year up there and eventually went junior about 19-20.[LNB]"It toughened me right up.[LNB]"I played with some wonderful players: Bobby Flavell - who used to play at Hibs - one of the best strikers of a football I've ever come across."[LNB]He added: "There are things that happen in your career and happen in your life that is the making of you.[LNB]"It's knockbacks where you say, 'I'll prove a lot of people wrong'.[LNB]"I certainly enjoyed the juniors: fantastic social life and some great boys, great characters."[LNB]Hughes, who remains in touch with many of his former team-mates, even looks back with fondness on the dark side of the semi-professional game, recalling: "We played St Roch's at Newton Grange Star and the manager said, 'You should take this mob'.[LNB]"It was 0-0 with two minutes to go and I was getting frustrated.[LNB]"There was an old boy playing for them and I was a bit late in the tackle.[LNB]"There was a wee bit of a rumpus and after the match he just came up to me, shook my hand and said, 'Well done, well done. I'll see you next week'.[LNB]"First five minutes of the following game, he came in and broke my leg!"[LNB]Hughes believes the likes of Irvine have vindicated the decision to allow junior teams to enter the Scottish Cup three years ago.[LNB]He added: "They've got some good players."[LNB]"We all know (Brian) McGinty, who played with St Mirren, young boy (Mark) Crilly, who I felt had a big future in the game when I played with him at Ayr United.[LNB]"Richie Barr up front, a young boy up front, who was a young kid here at Hibs.[LNB]"And they're quite a big, physical side in certain areas of the park."[LNB]Hughes yesterday vowed to pick his strongest possible side.[LNB]He admitted he would play one or two fringe men but wants his players to treat the fourth-round tie like a "derby match".[LNB]He revealed Graeme Smith would continue in goal, with Yves Ma-Kalambay and Graham Stack still injured, though the latter is hoping to get the green light from a back specialist in London on Tuesday.[LNB]Hughes brought in Smith last week and has also been in discussions to sign Falkirk captain Darren Barr on a pre-contract.[LNB]"There were provisional talks here and there but it's gone a bit stale to tell you the truth," he said.[LNB]"If he wants to go away and look elsewhere - great - on we go.[LNB]"It's not done and dusted yet.[LNB]"But there's other irons in the fire."[LNB]Hughes is also in talks over extending Ian Murray's contract, which expires at the end of the season.[LNB]He admits he fears the defender walking away, adding: "He's everything I want at the club.[LNB]"Fingers crossed, we can get him tied up."[LNB][LNB]
