FIVE GAMES, FIVE TESTS - WHAT REPRESENTS PASS MARKS FOR HIBS COACHING STAFF UNDER PRESSURE?

Nobody involved in the statement of intent said the quiet part out loud. And nothing is everclear-cut in an opaque business like football. But has Nick Montgomery effectivelybeen given a five-game stretch to prove that he’s the right man to lead Hibsinto a new age of raised sights and heightened expectations?

There are only so many ways you can interpretthe “results need to improve” line in last night’s communique issued by the EasterRoad board. Whatever “understanding” was reached in talks between directors andmanagers, a lot is clearly resting on a series of fixtures ranging from theunappealing to the downright grim. At lest they can no longer be consideredmeaningless games.

As Montgomerylooks to improve his standing with owners and investors openly declaring theirintent to establish Hibs as the undisputed third force in Scottish football,then, what are we talking about, specifically, in terms of wins and losses?Let’s take a look at the contests with the potential to influence the ongoingreview of all football operations – and impact heavily on the manager’s future prospects:

St Johnstone (A) – Saturday, April 27

Pretty much a barometer of any Scottish Premiership team’s general health. Kilmarnock woncomfortably in Perth just before the split. A week after Hibs had been beatenby Craig Levein’s team at Easter Road, courtesy of another late goal concededin front of a frustrated home crowd.

Anyone who was at McDiarmid Park for the visit of Hibs on December 16 of last year, ofcourse, will recognise that as a date that will live in infamy. Monty’s menstarted the afternoon within touching distance of third place, having won fourout of their previous five matches. But a 1-0 defeat marked the start of adownward spiral – eight league games without a win – from which Hibs have neverentirely recovered.

WATCH THE LATEST FITBAW TALK HERE

Saints are no more or less formidable than they were then, having won just three games in2024, beating Ross County, Aberdeen and, of course, Hibs. Another defeat herewould be almost unthinkable.

Ross County (A) - Saturday, May 4

More flashbacks for the hardy veterans who returned from a Wednesday night in Dingwallwith thousand-yard stares and a persistent twitch that goes off any time alinesman awards a throw-in. Any Hibs fan there for the duration of that March13 clash in the Highlands is entitled to excuse themselves from a return trip.

Unfortunately, Monty and his men can’t sit this one out. County are a team transformed underDon Cowie. They’re certain to still be in a scrap to avoid finishing in the relegationplay-off place. Which would make a victory here a statement result, of sorts,for Hibs. And there haven’t been many of those this season.

Aberdeen (H) – Sunday, May 12

A meeting of disordered minds. A clash between two clubs who have no business being in thebottom half of the table, considering how much they spend on wages and transferfees. Money never won a game of football, eh?

The Dons will still be waiting for their new manager, meaning their players will have no greatclarity over his expectations and philosophy. That sort of uncertainty can’t behelpful.

Any home games against opponents from the ‘wrong’ end of the table have to be consideredmust-win fixtures. Anything less than victory here would make life verydifficult for the coaching staff.

Motherwell (H) – Wednesday, May 15

Urgh. Too soon. For both teams, probably. Each had a chance to vault themselves into the topsix when they last met at Fir Park just a few days ago, now. The fact that Hibsthrew away a winning position made it marginally worse for the visitors.

Again, it’s a home game. Against opponents who can hardly be described as elite. Must win.

Livingston (A) – Sunday, May 19

Surely to goodness. Livi will already be relegated by then. Although their win at EasterRoad back in August did for Lee Johnson, his successor has carved outback-to-back victories over David Martindale’s team in the two games since.

A third triumph would feel like scant consolation for all that has gone before in thiscampaign of woe. But it’s an essential if Hibs are to move forward with anykind of confidence.

2024-04-18T17:02:19Z dg43tfdfdgfd