Source: Team_Talk
Hughes: We can't match Old Firm
The past week has raised question marks over whether Hibs and Dundee United could mount a sustained title challenge to Rangers and Celtic after the Glasgow giants opened up a four-point gap at the top of the SPL.[LNB]Until then, the Old Firm had been within striking distance of the chasing pack, but Hughes is adamant he never believed his third-placed side could last the course.[LNB]"Rangers and Celtic are out in front," the Easter Road boss said.[LNB]"They're massive clubs, they're institutions, they've got a support base that we can't match, they've got the finances that we can't match."[LNB]Hughes added: "What do we have to do at Hibs? I'll tell you exactly where we are.[LNB]"I've actually been delighted with the boys; I've had a great response since I've come in here; we're a little bit in front of where I thought we'd be.[LNB]"We're scoring goals, great; we're winning football match; we've got a run going. So I'm not going to dampen it.[LNB]"Let's just keep it going."[LNB]Indeed, despite losing ground following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock, Hibs are on the longest unbeaten run in the SPL this season having not been beaten for 11 matches.[LNB]However, there have been too many away draws in that sequence, with Hughes wanting to replicate the 'fortress' mentality his side have shown at Easter Road on their travels.[LNB]He said: "No matter where we go on the road, we want to walk in there with a swagger, a bit of belief and a trust in each other that we can go and pick up three points away from home as well."[LNB]As far as Hughes is concerned, that starts with Saturday's trip to Aberdeen.[LNB]The sides' last meeting was a highly controversial affair, Hibs winning 2-0 courtesy of two late goals after Aberdeen had been reduced to nine men.[LNB]The Dons subsequently launched an astonishing attack on referee Steven Nicholls on their own website in which they accused him of being "hell bent" on sending players off.[LNB]Hughes refused to comment on whether Saturday's opponents had gone too far in their criticism.[LNB]And while he is expecting an Aberdeen "backlash" this weekend, he insisted it would only be because they suffered a shock home defeat to Hamilton on Saturday.[LNB]Hughes also revealed he met with the club's board today and among the topics of discussion was players who are due to be out of contract at the end of the season.[LNB]One of those who looks set to be offered a new deal is utility man Ian Murray.[LNB]"He's everything I want at the club," Hughes said.[LNB]"That's high up there on the agenda, that's for sure.[LNB]"He's got that right pride in the jersey.[LNB]"That's an ongoing process."[LNB]Goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay is another currently free to sign a pre-contract with another club next month.[LNB]Hughes defended the Belgian for Killie's opening goal last weekend but added: "His concentration has to be better, his decision-making has to be better and his self-belief has to be better."[LNB]Ma-Kalambay is set to keep his place at Pittodrie, with Graham Stack still troubled by a back problem that has kept him out for the last few weeks.[LNB]Hughes said: "It's just a matter of nursing it through until he feels confident enough to really get flinging himself about like a lunatic, like all goalies do in training."[LNB]Striker Derek Riordan was sent home from training today with sickness and diarrhoea but Hughes was hopeful he would return tomorrow.[LNB][LNB][LNB]
