John Hughes not consulting with his squad this time as he plans for back-to-back wins in Glasgow

When Hibs last travelled to Govan, three points would have seen them assume leadership of the Scottish Premier League. As tends to be the case, Hibs have not managed to be as consistent as the Old Firm over the course of the months since then. The gap has widened, but Hughes' side remain very much in touch.

Hibs are unbeaten in two trips to Glasgow in the league this season. At the end of last month they defeated Celtic 2-1 at Parkhead. Another pivotal performance was posted at Ibrox in October, when Hughes, emboldened by the views of his players, fielded four strikers in an entertaining 1-1 draw.

On the balance of opportunities created, it was two points lost. But Hughes believes his side have become a more rounded unit since then. Liam Miller has now bedded himself in in midfield, while the manager has even more options up front. Colin Nish has staked a claim for a regular start, and the on-loan addition of Alan Gow, the former Rangers player, has given the manager an embarrassment of riches.

At the back, skipper Chris Hogg has come through a rocky patch and, together with Sol Bamba, forms an impressive partnership at centre-half. Hughes even has much fewer worries between the goalposts. Although Graham Stack was outstanding against Rangers at Ibrox, Graeme Smith is likely to continue his run as first-choice. Mark Brown, too, has been brought in.

Perhaps Hughes fears there are too many personal agendas at work to expect a reasonable response to the question of how they should line-up. Quite rightly, more than 11 players in the first-team squad will believe they have the right to expect to start. Hughes will earn his money by sifting through his options and selecting the system which he thinks is best equipped to take something from the league leaders.

The manager appeared to suggest yesterday that they might not be as gung-ho as in October, when Anthony Stokes, Derek Riordan, Abdessalam Benjelloun and Merouane Zemmama all started.

"We have come a long way since then," he said. "That (offering the players the chance to debate the tactical approach] was just one of the tools I had. I will pick the team according to the way I think best fits this time – that will be either defending or attacking. But you have to make sure you have your guard up. As long as the game is going on and you are still in it then you will always have a chance."

It is a chance that might diminish should the officials not be up to the task of making perhaps unpopular calls. But Hughes skimmed over the midweek controversy when Motherwell were denied a legitimate goal against Rangers at Fir Park due to an erroneous off-side decision. Rather than 2-0 to the home side, it became 1-1 soon after. But he was not completely beyond playing mind-games. He emphasised the expectation which accompanies Rangers at home, especially now the season is nearing its business end.

"It's not just referees – everyone has to be strong," he said. "The Hibs players have to go there and be strong. We have to make sure it does not faze us. We need self-belief, too. I don't think we have anything to lose. The pressure will be all on Rangers. Ibrox can be a cauldron. But it should inspire you."

One player who, by his own admission, struggled in this environment in October was David Wotherspoon. The midfielder-turned– full-back endured a testing afternoon, and was replaced just before the hour mark. Rangers manager Walter Smith looked to take advantage of the youngster's lack of height, and ordered Kyle Lafferty to make life uncomfortable for him. It was one of the rare occasions this season when the Northern Irish internationalist lived up to his billing, and he played a part in setting-up Kris Boyd's opener.

"It was a difficult game," mused Wotherspoon. "I was up against Lafferty. He is tall and quick, and obviously an internationalist.

"They tried to get the ball out to (Steven] Whittaker at right-back, and then play it diagonally and use his (Lafferty's] height against mine. I am not too worried about it. I have been working on my heading for the last few weeks, as I know it is a weakness of mine. Every game's a learning curve for me."

Hughes, meanwhile, confirmed talks are still progressing with Ian Murray, who is out-of-contract at the end of this season. In the meantime, Murray will be in his usual place at left-back tomorrow afternoon. "As soon as there is news we will tell you. We are desperate to keep him," Hughes said.