JOHN HUGHES admits he is keen to hold talks with Falkirk over their vacant manager’s post following the sacking of Ray McKinnon.
Hughes has confessed to being ‘bitterly disappointed’ at not being granted an interview by former club Hibernian before Jack Ross was appointed successor to Paul Heckingbottom last week.
However, following the Bairns’ decision to axe McKinnon hours after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Dumbarton, Hughes could yet land a return to a former club.
The 55-year-old spent more than six years in charge at Falkirk, where he had twice been a player, and led them to the Premier League and to the 2009 Scottish Cup final, which earned them a historic first foray into Europe.
He was also credited with developing the likes of Scott Arfield, Darren Barr and Tam Scobbie during his time at the helm, which ended when he departed for boyhood heroes Hibs in 2009.
McKinnon paid the price for a run of just two wins from Falkirk’s last seven outings in League One, despite assembling an impressive looking squad packed with players with experience of playing in higher divisions.
With assistant Darren Taylor also departing, the Bairns say they are ‘assessing their options’ for the interim period and a ‘full recruitment process’ is expected.
Hughes was overlooked by Hibs as they eventually plumped for Ross but is eager to discuss the Falkirk vacancy with the club’s hierarchy.
He told Capital City Press: “I feel ready for a return to management and would like the chance to speak to Falkirk to hear their vision and ambition for a club I hold close to my heart.”
