Hibs boss tells players to snuff out Keane's goal threat

JOHN HUGHES today admitted ropey defending has cost Hibs dearly as he challenged his side to snuff out the threat of Celtic hot-shot Robbie Keane in Sunday's Easter Road showdown.

The Republic of Ireland star has struck 11 times in as many matches since arriving in Glasgow on loan from Tottenham Hotspur while Hibs' once rock-solid defence has suddenly begun leaking goals at an alarming rate.

And while Anthony Stokes and Derek Riordan have claimed 35 goals between them, Hughes conceded it's the lack of clean sheets which have seen Hibs fall five points behind Dundee United in the battle to finish third in the SPL table.