Hibernian manager John Hughes has revealed Manchester United’s destruction of AC Milan on Wednesday has motivated his side in their ambitions in the Scottish Cup and the SPL. The Easter Road side will take on First Division side Ross County in the quarter finals of the domestic trophy while his team are aiming for a top-three finish and a Europa League place.

Hughes, whose side are currently fourth in the league one point behind Dundee United, maintains he has no regrets about going public with his ambitions for his boyhood club and that watching Man United’s recent performance will give his squad the fight they need to succeed.

Speaking on Thursday, the day after the Old Trafford side thrashed the Rossoneri 4-0, Hughes said self belief is the key to victory.

“If you are the manager of Hibernian Football Club you have to be trying to get in that European place, challenging the Old Firm and getting to the latter stages of cup competitions. If you’re not saying that then you are deluding yourself.”

He added: “Nine times out of 10 the mind tool you use is great self belief and if you’ve got that great self belief you go out there and if you’ve got 11 other guys with the same mindset then nine times out of 10 you win the game.

“I saw it last night with Manchester United. I was really intrigued watching the game, inspired, on the edge of my seat. A couple of things inspired me, Gary Neville who has not played for a while then Sir Alex Ferguson sticks him in the team knowing he is going to take care of business. He knows his character and [orders him] to take care of Ronaldinho and he did, fantastic, and he created the first goal.”

Hughes admired the United players’ ability to push themselves, including Wayne Rooney who will be looking to add to his impressive goal tally, and the Hibs boss hopes to emulate that.

“Why not set that culture at Hibernian Football Club?,” asked Hughes, who aims to push the players to better themselves.

Hibs will take on Ross County on Saturday at Easter Road and Hughes knows it is a great opportunity to make the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. The Edinburgh side last won the Cup in 1902 and have lost nine finals since then.

“It’s going to be difficult. I saw them the other night there against Raith Rovers, we’ve had many a report done on them, and I really enjoyed the game,” said Hughes.

“Obviously they got beat 2-1 but I really enjoyed it; the spirit in which they play, the organisation and I was intrigued by how they went about their business and they have one or two real good players but it’s the team spirit in which they play for each other is what we are going to have to go and combat.

“We have to make sure we match that and if not we could come out losers. But I’ve got great trust in my team, I know the kind of characters I’ve got at the club, we’re trying to instil that winning mentality here.”