Source: Team_Talk
Jefferies pours praise on Hughes
Third-placed Hibs are preparing for Saturday's visit to Rugby Park while sitting just two points behind Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic.[LNB]Their performances since Hughes moved from Falkirk have reversed the fortunes in Edinburgh following a third-placed finish for Hearts last season.[LNB]But former Hearts manager Jefferies, who managed Hughes and assistant Brian Rice at Falkirk, believes the Leith side deserve more credit for their push.[LNB]"Maybe Hearts have been more grinding out results and relied on their strength and physical presence to get results because that is what it's about," Jefferies said. "But years ago Hearts and Hibs would like to win, but like to do it with a bit of style.[LNB]"Hibs have got that at the moment, they are winning and doing it with a lot of flair.[LNB]"They are very attack-minded, they have people who can punish you and work hard.[LNB]"It's no surprise to see them up there putting in a little bit of a challenge to the Old Firm. That's great.[LNB]"John has done fantastically well, him and Brian, and just got Hibs playing like their philosophy was at Falkirk, getting it down and passing it.[LNB]"He is probably working with a better quality player now and they are certainly showing it."[LNB]Hearts finished second in 2006 but Jefferies was the last manager outside the Old Firm to still be mounting a serious title challenge in the spring, during the Gorgie club's Scottish Cup-winning season of 1997-98.[LNB]Henrik Larsson inspired Celtic to the title that season while Hearts were five points behind a Walter Smith-led Rangers team that included Brian Laudrup.[LNB]So the Killie boss knows what it takes to mount a serious challenge, and would not rule out Hibs doing the same.[LNB]"It takes a lot to push Rangers and Celtic, because they know what it takes to be at the top," Jefferies said. "They have been at the top for a long, long time now.[LNB]"Whether the Old Firm can strengthen in the January window will have a lot to do with it, because they can just go away from everybody again.[LNB]"But if it's tight, the other teams, as Walter says, have to take up the mantle to show they have what it takes to challenge right to the end.[LNB]"We showed in '98 it was possible but we just fell short because we were playing against two very good teams, teams that were maybe a little bit better than they are at the moment.[LNB]"But that doesn't take anything away from the teams at the moment, Rangers are still the champions and Celtic look like they are clicking into gear.[LNB]"I think even if they get into the top three or four, John will have done a fantastic job."[LNB][LNB] Kilmarnock v Hibernian. Click here to bet.
