Source: Team_Talk
Hughes plays down Barr move talk
It has been claimed both Hearts and Hibs are ready to pounce for the Scotland defender, whose existing deal with the Bairns expires next summer.Hughes brought Barr, 24, through the ranks at Falkirk before quitting as manager to take charge at Easter Road.He said: "He's a player that I admire, that's for sure, and I player I gave his opportunity in the first team and gave him the captain's armband."You're always looking to enhance your squad."We'd all love to bring certain players to the club but it's not always possible, because of the current climate in terms of revenue and finance."Hughes is in the market for a defender, however, and has confirmed he is considering snapping up an unnamed New Zealander, who has been on trial with the club this week."He's been with us for seven days, he's acquitted himself very well," Hughes said. "He can play anywhere right across the back four."I have to sit down now and see if he's any better than what we've got - he's not any worse, that's for sure."It's all about spinning plates; if you bring him in, does that allow you to bring another one in?"Hibs will be a man down at the back when Sol Bamba leaves for African Nations Cup duty at the end of the month.Hughes is hopeful of persuading Ivory Coast boss Vahid Halilhodzic to let the centre-back play in the Christmas clash with Rangers.The match takes place on December 27, the day on which Hibs are required to release Bamba under FIFA rules.Hughes said: "It's rumbling on. It's something that we're pursuing and hopefully we'll get the nod."I'm hoping that common sense prevails here because they meet up on the 27th, we play on the 27th."We've got an early kick-off and I'm quite sure you're only talking about him being a few hours late."Then he goes away with all our best wishes."He's been exceptional for Hibs this year and I think he'll be a great success in the African Nations Cup - every chance they can go on and win it with the quality of their team."We'll miss him, that's without doubt. But I think he always comes back a better player when he's been away with the national team."Hughes has backed the rest of his squad to fill to void left by Bamba, saying: "I've been very impressed with Paul Hanlon since I've come to the club, a player that got himself in for the first four or five games at the start of the season."He can go and play in there, Ian Murray can go and play in there, Lewis Stevenson can cover us at left-back, so we've got plenty of cover."They're working ever so hard on the training pitch to show me they want that place in the starting XI."Hibs will travel to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday without Kevin McBride, who has failed to shake off an ankle problem.Hughes faces a selection poser if goalkeeper Graham Stack recovers from a back injury after Yves Ma-Kalambay kept a clean sheet in last weekend's win over Falkirk.He said of Stack: "If there's no reaction when he trains tomorrow, then I've got that dilemma."