Source: Team_Talk
Hughes praises Bamba despite defeat
John Hughes has praised Sol Bamba for shrugging off the controversy of his row with Hibernian in the Europa League defeat to NK Maribor.[LNB] The Ivory Coast international refused to return to training on time last month following the World Cup in South Africa and, after showing up in Edinburgh a week late, was left out of the first-leg trip to Slovenia.[LNB]However, the former Dunfermline stopper was drafted back into the starting line-up on Thursday night and won praise, along with midfielder Liam Miller and striker Colin Nish, for his defiant display against a team Hughes confessed were better over the two legs.[LNB]Already behind 3-0 from the first leg, Hibs fell to a 3-2 reverse on the night and a 6-2 aggregate defeat, but Hughes saw some glimmers of hope in his team's display.[LNB]He said: "I was delighted with big Sol Bamba's performance. I felt he was different class for someone who hasn't trained much.[LNB]"You could see the asset he was to Hibs.[LNB]"Liam Miller was like a Trojan out there and big Colin Nish fought his corner. It was a good hard-working performance but it wasn't good enough.[LNB]"We were playing against a good side and what impressed me about them was they would suck you in and as soon as a pass went astray they would be right at you in numbers.[LNB]"They could also hit you with good pace on the counter-attack and I would like to wish them all the best.[LNB]"We just need to take it on the chin, get on with it and look forward to the domestic season."[LNB]Hughes must now pick up his team in time for their SPL opener on August 15 away to Motherwell, who ironically won through to the Europa League play-offs themselves with a victory over Norwegians Aalesund.[LNB]However, after criticising his players for their slack performance in last weekend's 1-0 defeat in a pre-season friendly at Carlisle, the Easter Road boss remains hopeful, with the help of the club's fans, that his team can emulate last season's fourth-place finish to return to the European stage next term.[LNB]He added: "We've still got a bit to go. I was really disappointed with the effort and the desire and the commitment in the Carlisle match on Sunday, albeit it was a pre-season match.[LNB]"But that was certainly there against Maribor and I would like to thank the supporters for really getting right behind us.[LNB]"If they can play their part this season then hopefully we can go and get that European spot again."[LNB]
