Hughes can challenge Old Firm with proper backing

PAUL KANE today predicted John Hughes will build a team capable of challenging the Old Firm – if he is given the time and the money.

The former Hibs midfield star believes Easter Road chairman Rod Petrie has got it right in bringing 44-year-old Hughes back to Leith, describing the move as "a wonderful appointment".

And Kane insisted Yogi is the man to lead Hibs back to where the fans believe they belong, adamant the choice has been based not on sentimentality but commonsense.

He said: "I think it is a fantastic appointment, not just because John comes from Leith, is a Hibs man and is proud of it but because he is the second-longest serving manager in the SPL.

"He's no novice, he's very experienced having spent six years at Falkirk where he has done very well. It's the sort of experience our last three managers haven't really had and hopefully he can use it to match the expectation levels of the supporters."

Although he ultimately led Falkirk to the final of the Homecoming Scottish Cup and into Europe for the first time in their history, Hughes endured a fraught season with some Bairns fans calling for his head as the club flirted with relegation.

But that was an experience which, Kane believes, will simply have made a tough character even stronger.

He said: "Yogi probably had his toughest season as a manager but I'm sure he'll probably have learned more from it than the previous five and hopefully that will be to Hibs' benefit."

As a schoolboy friend of Hughes, Kane has watched his pal's career blossom from his days with Newtongrange Star and believes doing it the hard way has given his old pal an outstanding grounding in the game.

He said: "John has shown incredible dedication throughout his career, combining playing with becoming a painter in the early days before slowly climbing the ladder.

"But having done so, I think he appreciates everything all the more, it makes him all the more determined to succeed and now I am sure he is ready to test his ability at a club like Hibs."

While he has no doubts Hughes' insistence on playing stylish, passing football had some bearing on his return to Easter Road, he insisted there was much, much more to the new Hibs boss.

He said: "He's a tough guy, but he still knows when to have a bit of a crack with the guys. You won't get a more dedicated bloke and his ethos on how the game should be played is probably one reason why Hibs wanted him.

"Even in tough times Yogi stuck by his principles. But he's also got a great reputation for finding rough diamonds and polishing them. What you don't see is the hard work that goes on, not just on the training ground but the countless trips up and down the motorway to England watching, learning and identifying possible signings. You don't get someone like Anthony Stokes with one journey down south. It's up and down once, twice, sometimes three times a week.

"As we all know, Yogi likes a laugh and a joke but he is a very serious man when it comes to his football. He's a very deep thinker about the game."

Hughes will have plenty jewels to polish, with seven of Hibs' all-conquering Under-19 side having been promoted to the first team squad recently, but Kane has no doubt the new Easter Road boss will prove to be a success provided he receives the backing he needs.

He said: "If he can get the tight budget I can see him building a team that can challenge the Old Firm, a side which can put Hibs up where the fans expect us to be, cutting between Rangers and Celtic, getting to cup finals and into Europe.

"It won't happen overnight. He'll need time but if he is given that and a bit of money I am positive he'll build a team to make Hibs supporters proud."