St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes has admitted that he believes ousted Hibs gaffer John Hughes was harshly treated by the Easter Road board.
Saints hammered the final nail into Hughes’ managerial coffin with a 2-0 victory at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
And while McInnes confessed Hughes losing his job did not shock him, he had every sympathy for a person he likes and admires.
He said, “To be honest, I am never really surprised by anything in football.
“I am disappointed for John and it is very sad for him on a personal level.
“We all know this job is hard enough at the best of times and he did a lot of good for the club.
“He is someone I like and I feel he has been harshly treated.”
He added, “However, he is not the first and he certainly will not be the last manager to lose his job and I just wish him all the best in finding another club.
“He is the type of boss I would have liked to have played for.”
Saints played a bounce game against St Mirren on Monday afternoon and McInnes was pleased that long-term injury victims Peter MacDonald and Martin Hardie took another significant step towards making their first-team returns.
MacDonald netted in the 2-1 loss and McInnes said, “That’s three goals in three bounce games for him.
“But a fit Peaso will always score goals so I am actually more pleased that he has had another 90 minutes without any reaction.
“Martin also played the full 90 minutes which is another bonus for us.”