John Hughes insists Hibs' current injury crisis cannot be used as an excuse ahead of their trip to Celtic.
Hibs boss not hiding behind injury crisis
Hibernian boss John Hughes insists the club's current injury crisis cannot be used as an excuse ahead of their trip to Celtic.
Hibs have been fairly consistent this season, although they have lost their last three SPL outings after securing a 3-1 win at Falkirk.
The Edinburgh side could be missing as many as seven first-team regulars for their Parkhead clash, but Hughes does not want to give his players a reason to fail.
Patrick Cregg is the latest player to join what is becoming a lengthy injury list which already includes the likes of Chris Hogg, Paul Hanlon, David Wotherspoon, Merouane Zemmama and Alan Gow.
Hughes is calling for his troops to stand up and be counted in their final five SPL matches in a bid to secure European football for next season.
Bare bones
"We are down to the bare bones, but I've said that I can't give them an excuse," he told the club's
official website.
"I would like to think that every player at this club shows the desire and application to get themselves into the first team - and when you get the opportunity, you have to take it.
"I know it is a big ask for us from now to the end of the season in terms of injuries, suspensions - but everyone has a part to play.
"If we do it right, we can get back to winning and we can get that European slot.
"We have five cup finals between now and the end of the season, we have to concentrate on each of these games and work on how we get back to being resolute, keeping clean sheets, enjoying our football and scoring goals.
"We will do everything it takes to achieve that - anything we can possibly do to reignite that spark in the side again."
