John Hughes was unveiled as Hibernian's new manager on Wednesday and his first task will be persuading Steven Fletcher and Rob Jones to stay at Easter Road. Hughes confidently declared: "I think Steven Fletcher will want to work with John Hughes. I might be wrong on that.

"But he's under contract so what he needs to do is come back here, knuckle down and go and enjoy himself and score goals."

He added: "I'll sit down with big Rob as well. I know he's possibly wanting to go back down south for family commitments.

"If that is the case, you have to respect that, but why can't John Hughes inspire him as well and get him to sign another year's contract?"

The 44 year old also insisted there was a future at the club for Moroccan pair Merouane Zemmama and Abdessalam Benjelloun.

Hughes said: "When I heard the news that they could be coming back here, that brought a smile to my face.

"Because, when they're at it, they excite people, they excite me.

"If they're going to come back then they have to come back here with the right mindset, a strong mindset, and want to be here.

"If I can a bit of gold dust on them and sprinkle it and get them going and get the best out of them, they've certainly got a part to play at the club and that's something I hope can happen.

"But they have to want to come back here, first and foremost. And if that's the case then, trust me, I'll get best out of those two guys."

But Hughes also has a reputation for getting the best out of young players.

"My whole style is to produce and promote our own young players," he said.

"But, first and foremost, I want these young boys coming back first day of pre-season. They'll come back as boys, they'll be a bit intimidated by a new manager and going into that first-team environment.

"By the end of pre-season, I want them to be men. I don't want them to stand back on ceremony. I want them to knock other guys off their pedestals and go and take their positions.

"That's what they have to do if they want to go and play in the first team."