THE end of the week might not have brought the result that Aaron Hughes desired, but the evergreen Northern Ireland internationalist was celebrating the outcome regarding Michael O’Neill’s future at the start of it.
His national team manager announced seven days ago that he would not be taking up the Scottish Football Association’s offer of employment.
News of O’Neill’s decision was welcomed by Hughes – the most capped home nations defender with 109 appearances – with the 38-year-old having witnessed at first hand how the one-time Brechin City manager has transformed the country into a respected international force.
Hughes, who was part of a Hearts rearguard that conceded their first goal in 831 minutes after Curtis Main scored a last-gasp equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Motherwell, said: “It’s just great he’s made the decision to remain in charge.
“You just look at the effect he’s had. It’s not just what you see either, it’s all the little things behind the scenes. He’s made the entire environment better and to still have him is a huge thing for us.
“He’s made it more like a club environment, tidying up the loose ends like getting the best facilities, making sure the food at the hotel is the best it can be; all those little things away from the pitch that make all the difference.
“Lads want to be involved because you get so well looked after, you get the best of everything you can possibly be.
“That’s what he’s done and that’s why five or six years down the line we are getting the success we have.”
Hughes has still to decide whether or not to call time on a long international career. For the time being at least, he is enjoying his club football.
Hearts went ahead after 80 minutes when substitute David Milinkovic slammed in a loose ball in the box from Andy Irving’s free kick.
However, Main countered with a header that just squeezed over the line in the sixth minute of injury-time after Hearts failed to deal with Craig Tanner’s set-piece.
“I’ve played against Curtis a lot down south at different clubs and he has always been a handful,” said Motherwell defender Tom Aldred, one of three January arrivals along with Main and Nadir Ciftci.
“I knew what I was getting with Curtis. He’s been brilliant - he was terrific versus Hearts.”
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