Hibernian boss targets top three finish

Hibernian boss John Hughes has told his team to finish in the Scottish Premier League top three after watching them thump Hamilton 5-1.

Until Saturday, the Hibs boss had been reluctant to set his side a specific target this season but he left no doubt after watching arguably their best attacking performance since he took charge last summer.

He said: "I'll go public and I'll say this: I want third spot and Europe.

"There's no point in shying away from it.

"I want it and I said that to the players.

"Let's make sure that we're doing everything to try to achieve that.

"I'm wanting it and that's the demands I'm putting on them.

"Three points today and that performance, that'll go a long way to getting us there.

"If we don't, it won't be for the want of trying."

However, Hughes all but ruled out pushing Celtic for second spot.

"You'd always like to go and challenge them," he said.

"But I think the Old Firm are miles in front of us."