Former Preston North End boss Alex Neil believes that Andrew Hughes has gone down as one of his best signings at Deepdale.
Neil is out of work at the moment but has spoken to a couple of media outlets this week.
The Scot spoke to BBC Radio Lancashire earlier this week and heaped praise on PNE wing back Brad Potts.
Neil has now spoken to EFL expert Gab Sutton for an hour-long interview about his career in management.
Of course, the topic of Neil’s time at PNE came up and he offered praise to one of his key signings during his time at the club…
Alex Neil on Andrew Hughes
Neil was asked about his left back situation at PNE after selling Greg Cunningham to Cardiff City in 2018.
North End then went and signed Andrew Hughes from Peterborough United and brought Josh Earl through the ranks.
Reports in 2019 suggested that PNE wanted to sign Max Lowe from Derby County, but that move didn’t materialise.
Joe Rafferty ended up filling in at left back before Cunningham ended up being re-signed in 2021.
Neil has refuted that PNE had a problem at left back after Cunningham’s exit though, heaping praise on Hughes.
The ex-North End boss feels that Hughes is probably one of his best signings of PNE, praising his consistency ever since arriving at Deepdale.
“We had Greg Cunningham, who I moved on to Cardiff,” said Neil. “So we sold Greg for really good money, I think we got £3.5million in for Greg, which was great business for a left back, but on the back of that, we signed Andrew Hughes, who I would think is one of my best signings at Preston in terms of his consistency and how well he’s done for that team.”
A bargain £200,000 capture from Peterborough United, Hughes joined PNE whilst Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony suggested that he wouldn’t even be their first choice.
Well, Hughes has now racked up more than 200 appearances for PNE and played regularly at Championship level for nearly six years now.
Hughes has transitioned his game to play as a left-sided centre back and the 31-year-old has been a fine servant for the club despite some niggling injury concerns.
Hughes is now under contract until the summer of 2025 and will continue to play an important role moving forward, taking him towards seven years at the club – not bad for a £200,000 signing.
The post 'One of my best signings': Alex Neil hails PNE player who cost just £200k from Peterborough United appeared first on Deepdale Digest.