Hughes set for Benjelloun U-turn

13 August 2009 17:21
Hughes had been furious with the attitude of Benjelloun, who recently failed to engineer a move to Egyptian champions Al Alhy and returned to Easter Road "with his tail between his legs", according to his manager. Benjelloun's entire Hibs career looked to be under threat, never mind his hopes of playing a part in this weekend's Clydesdale Bank Premier League opener. But the 24-year-old seemed to have turned over a new leaf in training on Thursday and Hughes said he had not ruled out a place on the bench for the player. "He was just joking with me leaving the training centre, saying, 'I'll score the winner on Saturday'," said Hughes, who suggested the forward was not fit enough to start. "So he's definitely going to be there or there abouts in my plans. His talent's not in doubt, it's his mindset. "Does he want to be here? Does he respect what we're trying to do at the club in terms of the way we want to play our football. "Sometimes it will be hurly-burly and physical. Can he handle that and overcome it?" Hughes added: "As long as he wants to be here and play for Hibs, I think I've got a right good player on my hands. "It's my job to get an understanding and a trust with him and get a relationship and get the best out of him. "He's a lovely lad. Talking to him, he's always got a smile on his face. But he has to respect his team-mates, Scottish football, and what I want to do at this club." Benjelloun was signed by Tony Mowbray more than three years ago but his Hibs career has followed a downward spiral and he looked certain to be offloaded last season when he was loaned out to Belgian clubs Charleroi and Roeselare. Immediately after his appointment this summer, Hughes extended an olive branch to the player, insisting Benjelloun was very much part of his plans. Hughes still believes he has a potential gem on his hands, saying: "He told me he scored 15 goals one season. Anybody at your club who can score 15 goals in one season is certainly one that you're wanting in your ranks." Hughes has also had his problems with Benjelloun's fellow forward Derek Riordan, who reportedly spent a night in police custody last week following a nightclub fracas. Otherwise, the Hibs boss has been delighted with the attitude of his players since they were beaten 3-1 by Preston in a friendly at the start of the month. He said: "After the Preston game, their heads went down. I asked them not to let that happen again as long as I'm in charge of the football club. "Since then, I've had a fantastic response."

Source: Team_Talk