Hibs boss John Hughes plans HIbs pre-season campaign

The Easter Road boss was forced to draw up a series of alternative plans as his players left it to the last day of the SPL season before securing fourth place and with it guaranteed European football next season.

But, even then, Hughes was left in limbo awaiting the outcome of today's Active Nation Scottish Cup final between Ross County and Dundee United. A win for the First Division outfit would result in Hibs entering the Europa League at the second qualifying round, meaning his players would be in action on July 15.

However, Cup final glory for United would result in Hibs not

playing in the competition until the third qualifying round which gets underway a fortnight later.

Admitting to a sense of frustration at the uncertainty, Hughes said today: "We've been working tirelessly on our plans for the past couple of months but we've had to draw up three separate pre-season programmes to cater for all the different scenarios."

A win for Ross County today would probably see Hughes' players reporting back in early June with little prospect of a training camp abroad as they combine preparations for the forthcoming season with Euro matches.

However, should United win, Hughes revealed he'd hope to take his players away for around seven days.

And, although he was unable to state exactly where that might be, he disclosed his preferred destinations would be Holland or Austria.

He said: "I feel you'd get good games over there but, with the World Cup being played until mid-July, we've also been looking at Wales and Ireland.

"Going away is also good for the fans, I know a lot of them look on a pre-season trip as their summer holiday."

Hughes, however, cast doubt on whether Easter Road may stage a prestigious pre-season friendly with the pitch being totally relaid as it is widened by four metres, making the ground fully UEFA and FIFA compliant.

He said: "I think any games will be away from home although I'd also imagine we'll have plenty of bounce matches down at East Mains which, again, is the beauty of having our own training centre available whenever we need it."