Source: Team_Talk
Nish: Hibs getting Old Firm treatment
Hibs go into Saturday's game with Motherwell just two points behind leaders Celtic after putting together a nine-match unbeaten run in the SPL.[LNB]Manager John Hughes has already warned his side they are now seen as "a scalp" and has noticed opponents adopting more defensive formations against them.[LNB]Striker Nish, 28, believes Hibs are simply having to put up with the same tactics Celtic and Rangers face every week.[LNB]He said: "When people come to play against Hibs at Easter Road it's always like that, maybe a little bit more so now because of the form that we've shown at the beginning of the season.[LNB]"They probably change their tactics and sit behind the ball a wee bit more than they usually do against other teams.[LNB]"I suppose we're just finding out what it's like for Rangers and Celtic."[LNB]Despite their lofty perch, Hughes claims his side have yet to hit top form since he arrived at the club this summer.[LNB]And Nish does not think that is necessarily a bad thing.[LNB]"I don't think some of the games we've played we've had our best performances but we've still come away with the three points," he said.[LNB]"It just shows you what we've got. We know if we're not doing well, we can still dig in.[LNB]"It's more than what we would have done last year."[LNB]Nish has been in and out of Hughes' plans this season and has borne the brunt of the manager's criticism on occasion.[LNB]Last month's Edinburgh derby saw the pair involved in a touchline altercation, with Hughes later accusing the striker of failing to stay on his feet.[LNB]Nish played down the incident, saying: "The manager was fine. I spoke to the manager after the game and on the Monday and he was just having a laugh with me."[LNB]Nevertheless, Nish has found it difficult to impress Hughes.[LNB]"It's tough," he said. "I think I played every week last year.[LNB]"I think I should be playing every week but it's the manager who picks the team.[LNB]"It's difficult to make him change his mind. I did that last week and hopefully I can keep that going."[LNB]Nish returned to the starting line-up against Falkirk on Saturday and will hope to keep his place against Motherwell.[LNB]But he knows Hughes will not hesitate to axe him again if he fails to perform.[LNB]"We've got a really strong squad so if you're not doing the business, you'll get dropped," Nish said.[LNB]"I think the manager's proved that with the players he's dropped throughout the season. He's not afraid to drop anyone."[LNB]Nish's height means he provides a different option to the likes of Derek Riordan, Anthony Stokes and Abdessalam Benjelloun.[LNB]But he said: "Personally, I think I'm better on the ground than people give me credit for.[LNB]"I know what I can do and I think the manager knows that as well."[LNB]Hibs are the only side to beat Motherwell in the league this term and Nish said: "We played really well when we went to Motherwell earlier on this season, beat them 3-1.[LNB]"So if we can play like that we'll take the three points."[LNB][LNB][LNB] Hibernian 10/11, Draw 5/2, Motherwell 3/1
