Hughes used ‘fake news’ to beat Celts
LONG before fake news became a topic of global debate, John Hughes was deploying the tactic to drive Inverness towards a shock Scottish Cup triumph over Celtic.
That 3-2 victory in the 2015 semi-final is easily recalled thanks to the infamous failure of the match officials to spot a Josh Meekings handball on the goalline.
Hughes readily accepts it was one monumental break. But there was far more to Caley Thistle’s historic success en route to lifting the trophy. Indeed, the 52-year-old’s mind games ensured his players were able to fully exploit their good fortune as Celtic’s Treble dreams crumbled.
This is where the fictional reports came in. Luckily for Hughes, his Nigerian forward Edward Ofere wasn’t a regular reader of the Scottish tabloids.
‘I went to watch Celtic against Kilmarnock beforehand with a former team-mate of mine, Neil Oliver,’ reflected Hughes. ‘He asked if I’d seen anything and I said I was going to press them right from the start.
‘Now, Celtic will be hard pushed to get two better centre-backs than Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer, who they had that season.
‘They were both quick, could get on the ball, pass it, step into midfield and could deal with anything over the top.
‘So you used everything you can. We would take anyone on and were not intimidated by Celtic.
‘It has to inspire you when you take on the best… “Come on and I’ll show you what I’m all about”.
‘I had Edward Ofere who was built like a tank and I wanted him to bully Denayer.
‘I told him Denayer was in the paper saying he was easy to play against.
‘Of course there wasn’t any newspaper article but Edward said: “I’ll take care of him”.
‘We also had Marley Watkins, who was the fittest player I’ve ever worked with.
‘His job was to play against Van Dijk. He was told to not give him a minute’s peace. We carried a lot of luck, but the rest is history.’
The idea of pretending the outside world is against a club dates back to Sir Alex Ferguson and beyond. Hughes, though, feels it pays particular dividends at the club he left last May.
‘The secret of Inverness is that underdog, siege mentality,’ he added. ‘Nobody wants to go to Inverness.
‘That is what you have to use. What was written in the press would go up on the wall. What wasn’t, you would make it up.
‘I kept telling all the things the media were saying to get them fired up. Proving someone wrong is where Inverness are best.’
So far this season, however, Hughes’ successor in the job has only proven right those who suggested an inexperienced manager might struggle.
Richie Foran’s side head to Parkhead for tomorrow’s fifth-round tie seeking a break from the pressures of sitting bottom of the Premiership.
Hughes does not expect anything other than another victory for the hosts. But he believes Inverness will eventually retain their top-flight status.
The former centre-back, now ready to return to management after an eight-month sabbatical, insists he bears no ill-feeling over how things ended in the Highlands.
According to Hughes, there was a clash of opinions with chairman Kenny Cameron over who should and shouldn’t be retained in the squad.
‘I was happy, but I wanted to move it on in terms of the players coming in and out,’ he recalled.
‘The chairman said: “No, I want to keep him”. But I didn’t fall out with him.
‘I have enjoyed the time away, but I’m ready to get back in. If the right job comes up then hopefully it won’t be too long.’
John Hughes was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.