Hughes saw his reborn Wales side get their European Championship qualifiers off to a dream start in Helsinki on Saturday with a fine 2-0 win over Finland.

The win was Wales' sixth game undefeated, their best run of results for 15 years, as well as only their ninth away success in a decade.

But the man whose team only 18 months ago was being labelled the worst in Welsh history after nine games without a victory, explained how Ferguson has put him on the right track.

Hughes had two hugely successful spells at Old Trafford, the second under Ferguson, and he said: "Sir Alex has been a big influence. I obviously talk to him regularly about my players.

"But we have also had private conversations on a personal level regarding what is going on.

"I would like to think that I have taken something from all the managers I have played for, keeping the good bits and ignoring the bad.

"I'm new to this, but I am enjoying it and things are working, but we must still be careful and not get carried away but just see how far we can go."

The 3,000 delirious Welsh fans in the Finnish capital were singing about going to Portugal after a terrific display of running, tackling and hard-nosed professionalism.

But Hughes admits that he was hurt by the jibes about being Wales' worst ever at the beginning of his 21-game run in solo control of his country's fortunes.

"There was a time when we were labelled as the the worst Wales team ever because of the results when I started," Hughes added.

"But we have progressed. My pride was hurt, there was a a lot of things said that hurt."

But after witnessing smash-and-grab goals from John Hartson and Simon Davies that got Wales' Group Nine campaign off to a roaring start, Hughes has now lost only two of the last 14.

"The credit goes to the players. They are the ones who put their reputations on the line, they are the ones who put in the effort.

"I just hope that we are now giving them the best opportunity to do well for their country.

"They have reacted fantastically well to everything we have asked them to do, and they deserve their success."

Hughes and coach Eddie Niedzwiecki - and Mark Bowen when Birmingham City's needs have allowed - have moulded a team that thrives on unity and sheer defiance.

And some, like skipper Gary Speed - 33 on Sunday and now with 69 caps - are being asked to play out of position, in the Newcastle skipper's case at left-back.

Hughes believes Speed's willingness to take on a demanding role, which could easily expose him at the highest level, is a key factor in the current success.

"Gary accepting he's a left-back for us is crucial and underlines what I'm saying. He's a strong character and a big influence in the dressing room. And he's prepared to do that for the team.

"When other players see that a player of Gary's character and ability is prepared to play in a role like that, it has an effect on people.

"There are others in the team who are prepared to sacrifice themselves for the cause in that way."