Hughes asks fans to stay behind Hibs

Under-pressure Hibernian manager John Hughes is determined to absorb the negativity aimed at his side and turn their fortunes around. Hibs, who travel to Celtic on Saturday, are without a win at home in nine games and were booed off in their last two matches at Easter Road.Hibs have led in their last three games, including last night when they exited the Co-operative Insurance Cup with a 3-1 loss at Kilmarnock.Hughes said fans must back their team and cast judgement at the end of the campaign, rather than early in the SPL season.He said: "I've tried to put a message out to the supporters - we've got a bunch of boys who are working hard, giving it their all."Nobody likes to get criticised, but if you're going to criticise anyone, criticise me."Leave my players alone, let them go and express themselves and try to play to their full potential."We're in the month of September - judge us at the end of the season."Hibs players reportedly fell out following last night's 3-1 loss at Rugby Park.Hughes added: "There were one or two voices raised, not happy with the result."Good - it tells me they care."As long as they're still together - and that's certainly still the case - that is healthy."You want strong characters, people that are not going to stand for getting beaten."

Source: Team_Talk