Stress-free Hughes aims to enjoy every minute with Hearts
AARON HUGHES recognises, at the age of 37, that the days he can savour playing in the world’s great football arenas will be few and far between from now on. So, as he steps out at Celtic Park today, the Hearts defender is intent on cherishing the occasion more than he did in his younger days.
In a 17-year English Premier League career, Hughes experienced the best atmospheres of all the major stadia down south. He nominates Anfield as the most magical venue he graced with Newcastle, Aston Villa and Fulham.
Hughes was rather spoiled on his senior debut, too, because as an 18-year-old he came on to play Champions League football for Newcastle against Barcelona. Last summer, the crowning achievement was helping Northern Ireland to the second phase of Euro 2016 and earning a 103rd cap against Wales in the Parc des Princes.
Following spells in the Australian and Indian leagues, Hughes was tempted back to the British game by Hearts and that switch last month has placed him in the line of Old Firm fire and a fascinating Scottish Cup derby clash against Hibernian. Next up is a visit to the champions at Parkhead today, where Hughes played Celtic in a July 1999 friendly for Newcastle.
Hughes said: ‘Hopefully, I can enjoy the experience because at my age, when I look back at all the pressure, excitement and nature of the games, sometimes you don’t actually get the chance to savour being there.
‘I think I will enjoy it a little bit more than maybe I did when I was younger. I know that there may not be too many games like this left. It would be hard not to get a buzz going to Celtic Park with the occasion and atmosphere of playing in a big stadium.
‘It’s something every player looks forward to, regardless of where you’ve been in the game, what you’ve done and what stage your career is at. These are the games that are up there, the games everyone looks forward to. Back then, in a friendly at Parkhead, the atmosphere was fantastic. Well, I thought it was. In a competitive game like this, it will be even better.
‘I loved going to Anfield. There was always something special about it, a buzz that I enjoyed.
‘The Euros topped everything. The atmosphere there and the stadiums.
‘I was lucky enough to play in the Nou Camp against Barcelona a couple of times, too. When you come out the steps, it really does just keep going up and up and you remember experiencing places like that.’
Hughes has been invited by Ian Cathro to use his experience to steer a revamped Hearts defence through a difficult transition period. They overcame Raith Rovers after extra-time in a Scottish Cup replay on Wednesday night, with Andraz Struna deputising for Callum Paterson to the right of Hughes and Lennard Sowah playing only his second game for the club on the left.
As Cathro hopes to see his rearguard build a relationship, John Souttar will continue to learn at centre-half — as demonstrated by the error that allowed Ryan Hardie to net for the Kirkcaldy side at Tynecastle in midweek.
‘It is a challenge to come into a new back four and adapt to the team and the way the manager wants us to play,’ said Hughes. ‘Before I can start marshalling and pulling other people around, I have to make sure I do my own job properly.’