Hughes calls for focus from Hibees

Published: 08 Feb 2010 - 17:24:23

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The next seven days could prove decisive in most teams' Scottish Premier League campaigns, not least Hughes' Hibs. Just two points behind second-placed Celtic and with a game in hand, they could find themselves splitting the Old Firm if results go their way when they face Aberdeen on Wednesday night. They then travel to Rangers on Sunday, having already drawn at Ibrox this season. But despite this week having the potential to define his side's campaign, Hughes wants all their remaining matches to mean just as much. "You'll probably ask me the same question the next week and the week after and the week after," he said. "Hopefully you're asking that question because we are still winning football matches. "From now until the end of the season, all those questions will get answered and I'm just hoping that the boys are not afraid of it." Hughes is confident his squad will rise to the challenge and believes they are close to playing their best football under him since he took charge in the summer. "It's coming," he said. "I've seen a vast improvement since the start of the season. "I think we're more resolute, I think we're harder working. "When I used to play a Hibs team, I always felt there was a wee bit of a softness about them. "I think they've toughened themselves up. "But we've still got miles to go." Having further bolstered his already-impressive squad during the January transfer window, Hughes believes he has a pool of players to do something special. He added: "If anyone wants to sit here and think they're guaranteed a first-team place then they'll find themselves sitting beside me or in the stand. "That's how you have to be if you want to be a successful club. "You have to have that depth within your squad, everyone capable of coming into that first team. "I think that we're starting to get towards that." One of Hibernian's additions was former Rangers forward Alan Gow, who Hughes snatched from under the nose of Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee late on transfer deadline day last week. Hughes revealed at the time McGhee had some "choice words" for him but insisted today there would be no bad blood between the pair on Wednesday night. "Me and Mark get on very well and it was more of a joke than anything else," he said. "I'm quite sure in the future there'll be a player on his way to Hibs and he'll jump in." One man Hughes is desperate not to lose is defensive stalwart Ian Murray, who is close to agreeing a new contract with his current deal set to expire in the summer. "I'd like to think in the next week or so that'll be tied up," said Hughes, who confirmed Sol Bamba would return to the squad on Wednesday after being rested at the weekend. "Fingers crossed, from the manager's point of view, Ian Murray will be with us for the next few years."