Hartson: Hughes will reach top

John Hartson believes Mark Hughes will soon be as sought after as Martin O'Neill.

The Wales striker thinks it will not be long before Premiership clubs are targeting his international manager in the way they have his Celtic boss.

O'Neill is top of Tottenham's wanted list to replace Glenn Hoddle and the Irishman has also been linked with jobs at Liverpool and Fulham this year.

Hughes's only management experience is with Wales, but he has done enough already to catch the eye.

However, he would not consider a move before Wales's Euro 2004 campaign is over. They play Serbia and Montenegro on Saturday and are guaranteed a two-legged play-off next month, but Hartson does not think that will stop clubs thinking about poaching Hughes. Hartson said: "Top managers are very sought after now. It is like O'Neill at Celtic, he is linked with every job that comes up and Sparky is much the same.

"I don't know what his situation is but he has been building a big reputation for himself. That is only right because of the performances we have been putting in, the teams we have beaten and where he has put Wales."

Hughes is tied to Wales until after the 2006 World Cup but is understood to have a £250,000 get-out clause in his contract.

He wants to manage in the Premiership, but ruled out joining Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson's No2 this summer.