Source: Team_Talk
Stokes has shown the way - Hughes
Manager John Hughes hopes his Hibernian side can replicate Anthony Stokes' success against Kilmarnock.[LNB] Stokes, who joined Celtic from Hibs for a reported £1.2million fee on transfer deadline day, scored the winner as Neil Lennon's side won 2-1 in the Scottish Premier League at Rugby Park on Sunday.[LNB]Hibs travel to Killie in the Co-operative Insurance Cup third round on Wednesday off the back of two 1-1 draws at home - extending their winless Easter Road run to nine games - where the conclusion of both games was greeted by a chorus of boos.[LNB]The Kilmarnock clash is the first of three successive away games, with league clashes at Celtic and St Johnstone to follow.[LNB]"I did have a smile on my face Stokesy scoring the winning goal," said Hughes, who was at Rugby Park for the match.[LNB]"I wish him all the best. I phoned him after the match and complimented him on how hard he worked, saying to him 'You must've been conning me for a year'.[LNB]"The reply I got was 'Aye, I got you 22 goals'. He worked ever so hard and I hope that's his first goal of many to come, albeit not on Saturday."[LNB]Hughes expects a tough clash in Ayrshire on Wednesday night.[LNB]"Mixu (Paatelainen) has always got a good, solid team, always well organised," added the Hibs boss. "They played good football and Celtic knew they were in a game and it took them a long time to break them down.[LNB]"They seem to be spirited and hard working, so we're going to have to go there and be at our best."[LNB]Hibs enter the game on the back of two disappointing results against Inverness and Hamilton, draws which felt like defeats.[LNB]Hughes, though, believes the tide will soon turn in Leith.[LNB]"I'm quite sure if we keep working hard it will start going our way," he said. "We just need to stick together and keeping working away at it."[LNB]Hughes was also unfazed by the audible dissent from Hibs fans. "I just laugh at it and get on with it," he added.[LNB]"I know football and if you keep your focus, you keep your trust and your spirit, then it turns for you.[LNB]"That's a test of your resolve to roll your sleeves up and go again, dig deep. That's what I'm trying to instil in the dressing room."[LNB]Hughes denied an away match could be the tonic Hibs need and is determined to show the home faithful victory is close.[LNB]He said: "I couldn't get into my work quick enough, because I want to get it right and I want to prove that we're in there."
