Source: Team_Talk
Revenge not the mission for Hughes
Hibs travel to Ibrox to take on the Scottish champions for the first time since being thumped 4-1 at Easter Road at the end of December.[LNB]The result seemed to put Hughes' men firmly in their place amid talk they could split the Old Firm this season.[LNB]The Edinburgh club have bounced back well from the setback, losing just one of their eight games since in all competitions.[LNB]Yet, Hughes maintains his side still have a long way to go to challenge Rangers and Celtic and cannot afford thoughts of vengeance this weekend.[LNB]"It never comes into it because the Old Firm - Rangers and Celtic - right at this moment are still miles in front of the rest," he said.[LNB]"We're all trying to play catch-up."[LNB]He added: "I felt there was a real steely determination in the Rangers team when they came to Easter Road and turned us over. They must have felt we were a threat."[LNB]Yet, asked if Hibs can win on Sunday, Hughes said: "Certainly. We're going to Ibrox, into that arena - fantastic arena - and you cannot be fazed."[LNB]Hibs were certainly not flustered on their first trip to Ibrox this season, which saw them claim a 1-1 draw.[LNB]"It was a great game of football - best I've been involved in this year," Hughes said.[LNB]"We take great inspiration from that, and also what we did through in Glasgow a couple of weeks ago."[LNB]Hughes was referring to Hibs' 2-1 victory at Celtic at the end of last month.[LNB]Since then, two more SPL managers have lost their jobs, the latest being Eddie May, who took over from Hughes at Falkirk last summer.[LNB]The Hibs boss had no crumbs of comfort for his successor, saying: "You get judged by your results - that's just part and parcel of the job."[LNB]May was promoted from his role as head of youth development despite having no managerial experience.[LNB]Hughes said: "It's like any walk of life - you have to go and learn your trade.[LNB]"You have to get through the hard times. You have to be Teflon.[LNB]"If you're working hard and you've got a good rapport and you're giving the supporters what they want then, nine times out of 10, you'll stay in a job."[LNB]Hughes wished May's replacement Steven Pressley - who he brought to Falkirk as a player last season - "all the best".[LNB]With May departing yesterday, Falkirk had no representative at that afternoon's manager's meeting at Hampden, which Hughes attended.[LNB]Among the topics under discussion was the scrapping of the under-21 rule, something Hughes is in favour of providing young players are given an opportunity at a level below the first team.[LNB]Hughes built his reputation blooding youngsters at Falkirk and he has continued that at Hibs, with David Wotherspoon the latest beneficiary.[LNB]Hughes recently put a £4million price tag on the 20-year-old, who burst onto the scene at right-back this season.[LNB]Wotherspoon was flattered by the compliment, saying: "I only heard it on Wednesday night.[LNB]"I'm really surprised he rates me that highly.[LNB]"Obviously, I'm ambitious to get as high as possible in my career but - at the moment - I'm playing, I'm getting in the first team regularly at Hibs, so I'm quite happy."[LNB][LNB] Rangers v Hibernian. Click here to bet.
