MARK Hughes has been dubbed a legend - by the man 'Sparky' hopes will fire Wales to their first championship finals in 44 years.

Manager Hughes has guided Wales to pole position in Euro 2004 qualifying Group Nine - and targetman John Hartson said: "The man is a legend."

Hartson added: "Mark Hughes was one of my heroes as a kid. He has total respect from the players and his tactics are always spot on."

Hughes replaced Bobby Gould in November 1999 and Hartson said: "I remember when Mark Hughes took over - the boys suddenly started running that extra yard for him, winning that extra tackle because of the respect they have for him.

"Those first few games were won on commitment. But once you come up against the big teams, that's not enough.

"Mark has proved he can deal with that too. We've drawn with Argentina and beaten the likes of Germany as well as superb victories against Finland and Italy in the 2004 Euro qualifiers."

And Hartson, who has scored eight goals in 33 games for his country, added: "Hopefully I can pick up another 30 caps or so - I firmly believe I have another five or six years at the top level."

Hartson dreams of a shot at the European Championships finals in Portugal. He added: "It would be great to get there. The last time Wales made it to a finals was the 1958 World Cup.

"Wales had legends like John Charles then, so it would be great for us to match their achievements. It feels good to be doing so well.

"It's not that long since Wales played Belarus at the Millennium Stadium - in front of just a few thousand people - that was soul destroying.

"Then to play in front of 70,000 against Italy - and win - is amazing."

And Hartson revealed he resisted the temptation to take his wife Lowrie back to Wales - to remain in Scotland to have their baby son Joni - a few weeks ago.

"Joni can play for Scotland now," joked Hartson, who also has a three-year-old daughter Rebecca.

"I'm sure Joni's first preference will be for Wales - the country his old man turned out for," quipped Hartson, who has a ten inch tattoo of the Welsh national crest on his right calf.

Meanwhile, Hartson has said he wants a second crack at the top flight in England.

"I'd like to return to the Premiership in two or three years time," said Hartson, who switched to Celtic from Coventry City in a £6m move in August 2001.

Hartson, who has two and a half years of his contract remaining, added: "I've got lots of ambitions and aims I want to achieve before I finish my career."

The 27-year-old Hartson, whose transfer exchanges have topped £24m, said: "My career has been a success."

Striker Hartson now hopes to become a record-breaker in the red jersey of Wales when he runs out for his country in the Millennium Stadium friendly with Bosnia on February 12.