Rice did all the talking after Falkirk's 1-0 victory

"We dug out a result," Rice said after the 1-0 win. "The boys won ugly but full credit for digging out a result.

"We're delighted to take a clean sheet but it is hard to be elated at winning, when we have played this way.

"We're a far better team than that but I'm sure once John calms down we'll look at it and think it's a great three points for us."

Interview: Falkirk assistant manager Brian Rice

The Bairns nudged up one place to seventh in the Premier League thanks to a first-half headed goal from Gerard Aafjes at the Falkirk Stadium.

"In the first half we played patchily, in the second half we didn't really play at all," added Rice.

"We got the win so obviously we're pleased with that but disappointed with the performance.

"A lot of times here at this stadium we've lost games like that, so credit to the boys."

Hughes had his say to the Falkirk players in the dressing room, but did not address the media.

Rice said: "He's been in, the paint's off the wall as you'd expect. It's disappointing we got a decent crowd in and didn't perform."