Source: Team_Talk
Hughes out to produce Scotland stars
No fewer than seven of the 22-man squad named in Scotland's squad for the friendly in Japan on Saturday week were part of the Hibs side which finished third in the Scottish Premier League in 2005.[LNB]Only one of them is currently at the club, Derek Riordan, who was recalled more than four years after his sole cap.[LNB]Hughes, who became Hibs boss this summer, is determined to increase that number during his tenure at Easter Road.[LNB]He said: "I want all my players to go away on international duty and it's my job to keep producing these young players, keep producing them and getting them in that first team.[LNB]"But they have to be good enough."[LNB]Hughes singled out David Wotherspoon - this week handed his maiden under-21 call-up - Paul Hanlon, Danny Galbraith, Lewis Stevenson and Kurtis Byrne as those he feels are best placed to make the breakthrough.[LNB]Of Riordan's recall, Hughes said: "It's fully merited - I'm absolutely over the moon for him.[LNB]"He's worked ever so hard since I've come to the club.[LNB]"First and foremost got a right good pre-season in. I think he's only one of two players who have started every game for Hibs.[LNB]"He's scoring goals and I think it's evident now that he's really working as a team player and I think that's what got him the nod for the Scotland call-up.[LNB]"In terms of being an individual and a maverick and conjuring up bits of magic out of next to nothing, he's got that in his locker.[LNB]"It's the other side of the game that Derek has to work on and he's done that.[LNB]"If you saw him last week, he's tracking back, he's playing left-back, he's tackling, he's clearing his lines.[LNB]"And on top of that he's got his goal and made a goal."[LNB]Riordan has been criticised for some of his off-field behaviour, with the forward reportedly spending the night in a police cell last month for breach of the peace.[LNB]Hughes said: "I don't know what people's perception is of him but he's a 'huffy' boy and he's got that (negative) body language.[LNB]"But you just need to look through that and what you've got is a really talented footballer.[LNB]"If you're getting the ball to him in that last quarter, you know something can happen."[LNB]He added: "He wants to play for his country and I think there was a bit jealousy and envy over the last month watching the Scotland national team.[LNB]"We've been coming in here and there's been about five or six ex-Hibs players all in that Scotland squad, and I think Derek's been saying, 'I want to get back in that company'.[LNB]"So he's got his opportunity to go and impress George and I'm just hoping that he certainly takes that chance."[LNB]Hughes had three reasons to celebrate on Thursday as Riordan was named Clydesdale Bank Player of the Month, while the Hibs boss was named Manager of the Month.[LNB]He said: "You get a bit embarrassed, actually.[LNB]"It's the performance of the team that gets you these rewards, and long may it continue.[LNB]"It tells you that you're doing something right and it tells you that your team's doing something right.[LNB]"I'm delighted for the club."[LNB][LNB]
