John Hughes Has An Admirer

Last updated : 31 March 2010 By Ed_ScottishFitba

Old team mates will sit next to each other in their respective dugouts when Hibs meet Dundee United tonight at Easter Road. United boss Peter Houston is a former team-mate of John Hughes from their Falkirk days and is a huge admirer of the way his sets his teams to play. Houston believes Hibs have overcome their recent slump in perfect time to rekindle their challenge for third place. The Easter Road side were looking strong contenders for the prime European slot until they hit a sticky period which included losses to St Johnstone, Hearts, Motherwell and then Ross County in the Scottish Cup. But they bounced back in style against Falkirk last weekend and Houston believes they are gearing back to top form just in time for the encounter with United. The Tangerines enjoy a two-point advantage over Hibs and are looking to extend that further.

Houston said: "I think Hibs are through their sticky patch now and they're looking back to their best. They are too good a team to stay like that for too long. I really admire them and what `Yogi' and Brian Rice have done. They play free-flowing football, love to attack and are great to watch. It has the makings of a really good match. In fact, since we came here the games against them have been excellent. Last time we went down there they battered us in the first-half but I felt we reversed that after half-time. So the teams are evenly matched and to get anything from it we'll need to be at our best. If we can get the win then it would be as close to the perfect week you could get. But that's not the way we're thinking. Yes, we've beat Rangers and Motherwell but this one is just as hard. We've achieved nothing yet, there is plenty of hard work still to be done. I was finishing off when `Yogi' joined Falkirk. He came as a striker from Swansea but Jim Jefferies quickly converted him into a centre-half. That was the making of him, I think. It was a masterstroke from Jim because `Yogi' was aggressive, enthusiastic and could really play at the back. I think he preferred the game to be in front of him and he went on to have a great career. I've got a lot of time for him, I like the way his teams play - but obviously we won't be going there to admire them on Wednesday.''

Merouane Zemmama is a doubt for Hibs after he limped out of Saturday's 3-1 win over Falkirk away from home. He had a scan on his knee on Monday and Manager Hughes will wait till the last minute before making a decision.  Alan Gow could return from a hamstring injury but Paul Hanlon (pelvis) is likely to miss out while Kevin McCann may have to wait to return from a toe problem. United are without Mihael Kovacevic, David Robertson and the suspended Paul Dixon but have Morgaro Gomis and Jon Daly fully fit and in contention for a game.

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