Hibs boss vows to keep producing home-grown talent after praise from Alex Ferguson

HIBS boss John Hughes has vowed to maintain the policy of producing home-grown talent that has earned the Easter Road club glowing praise from Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Manchester United manager held Hibs up as a shining example to other SPL clubs in the build-up to his side's Champions League clash with Rangers at Old Trafford tonight. "I know Hibs work very hard on developing young players," said Ferguson, "and that is definitely the way ahead for Scottish clubs.

"Hibs have a very healthy attitude when it comes to young players and have produced a few really good ones in the last five or six years.

"I'm not so sure about some of the other clubs in terms of what they are doing."

Today Hughes, a self-confessed MUTV addict, admitted he was delighted to hear Sir Alex had heaped such praise on Hibs and said he will be striving to bring through the next batch of rising stars at the club.

"Sir Alex has always got his finger on the pulse and his brother, Martin, has been here a lot since the time he worked for Alex Miller," noted Hughes.

"I always take great pride when I see the Scotland side playing and there are a good number of ex-Hibs players involved.

"Yes, they have moved on but that is the business side of the game."

Praising the work of Bill Henry and Alistair Stevenson, Hughes added: "We need to keep it going as we are the type of club that will always produce our own kids.

"I like nothing better than going along on a Sunday to watch our Academy teams playing.

"Just think what it means to a young kid to see the manager there, taking an interest in them and encouraging them.

"There is nothing better, surely, for a 15-year-old than if the first-team manager is not only doing that but also knows his name."

Meanwhile, Hughes also reported that a bounce game against Dunfermline today had come too early for goalkeeper Graham Stack as he recovers from a back injury.

"Our goalkeeping coach felt today's game was just a bit too soon for Stacky," said the Hibs boss.

"He needs a lot of sharpening up and that's what he will be doing this week."