Hibernian

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Hibs forward Myziane Maolida is eyeing another Premiership player of the month award after picking up the prize for March.

Having bagged four goals in four league games last month, the forward says joining Hibs has helped restore his confidence after a tough period in the game.

"It means I played well and tried to help the team and do my best," Maolida told Hibs TV, external. "I'm happy to receive this prize and I hope I win Premiership player of the month again.

"I enjoy my football a lot here and I'm happy to play with Hibs. I hope will continue like this."

On the coaching staff, he added: "They helped me a lot, they give me advice and confidence. I'm very confident, I play my football and try to score and assist."

Josh Campbell is back in contention for Hibs after recovering from an ankle problem. Dylan Vente, Lewis Miller, Luke Amos and Jake Doyle-Hayes are progressing well from their various ailments, with the latter back in training.

St Johnstone have no new injury problems. Drey Wright, Cammy MacPherson, Diallang Jaiyesimi and Sven Sprangler all remain sidelined but could feature before the end of the season.

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Nick Montgomery says Hibs are "really proud" of Myziane Maolida, who was named Premiership player of the month for March on Friday.

The Comoros forward scored in all four league matches last month, including an impressive finish at Ibrox last time out.

"We're really proud of Myziane," Montgomery said. "Bringing him into the club, I knew the talent that he was. The most important thing was to embrace him and bring him in.

"He's really close with the team. We knew it would take a couple of weeks to get him fit but he's shown everybody.

"Not only that, but's been following Ramadan. I think it's a real show of faith that he's continued to perform the way he has when he's faced with challenges in terms of when he can eat and when he can drink.

"I think that's inspirational. We're really happy for him. We had a little celebration for him when he got the award.

"He's not someone to speak much, but he does acknowledge that it's his teammates around him and everybody working hard for any individual to win an award."

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Hibernian head coach Nick Montgomery has been speaking to Hibs TV, external ahead of his side's meeting with St Johnstone at Easter Road on Saturday.

Here are the key points:

• "Every point is vital" as his side look to continue their improved run of form in front of their home fans.

• Says it's "very important" Hibs focus on themselves despite all the permutations involving other teams looking to wind up in the top six come the split.

• Josh Campbell and Jake Doyle-Hayes are back in training, while Martin Boyle has been able to boost his fitness after making his return off the bench at Ibrox.

• The squad is "in a good a place" and everyone fighting for positions gives Montgomery "difficult decisions" to make.

• "Really proud" of Myziane Maolida for being named the Premiership player of the month, particularly during Ramadan when the forward's eating and drinking is limited.

He's not just been named the Premiership player of the month for nothing...

Myziane Maolida reportedly once had an £85m release clause - and has been involved in £9m and £3.4m transfers - so it should perhaps be no surprise that he is standing out with Hibs.

The France-born forward came through Lyon's academy ranks to the first-team before moving on to Ligue 1 rivals Nice while earning youth caps for the country of his birth.

However, after his transfer to Hertha Berlin, he ended up loaned out to Reims - then, at the start of this season, was relegated to the Bundesliga 2 club's second string.

A goal in each of his first two international appearances for Comoros in November suggested he was wasted at German fourth-tier level and the 25-year-old has struck seven more in 13 appearances since joining Nick Montgomery's side on loan in January.

Indeed, Maolida has scored in each of his latest four Premiership games.

The last Hibs player to score in five straight top-flight appearances was Christian Doidge in December 2019.

Maolida will fancy his chances of matching that feat against a St Johnstone side who arrive on the back of a run of one win in eight outings that has dropped Craig Levein's side dangerously close to the relegation play-off spot.

• Read our Premiership picks in full

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Given the size of club and their relative financial power, many would judge Hibs finishing outside the top six as a disappointment for the Easter Road club.

Though improved in 2024, that fate could be sealed this weekend if Nick Montgomery's men slip up and results go against them elsewhere.

A place in the bottom half of the table would be confirmed if Hibs lose at home to relegation-threatened St Johnstone on Saturday AND top-six rivals Dundee beat Motherwell at Dens Park.

Anything other than these two exact outcomes would keep Hibs' hopes alive, and leave them with an outside chance of slipping into the European spots before the end of the season.

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• Hibs have won three of their last five home games against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership (D1 L1) whilst keeping four clean sheets across those meetings.

• St Johnstone have won two of their last four league meetings with Hibs (D1 L1), the same number of victories as they recorded across their previous 12 such games against the Leith club (D3 L7).

• Hibs have won each of their last three home league games, last winning more in a row at Easter Road in April 2018 under Neil Lennon (seven in a row).

• St Johnstone have scored just seven goals in 15 away games in the Scottish Premiership this season (W2 D4 L9), fewer than any other team, whilst only Livingston (six) and Ross County (eight) have picked up fewer points on the road in the division than the Saints this term (10).

• Myziane Maolida has scored in each of his last four Scottish Premiership games; the last player to score in five straight top-flight appearances for Hibernian was Christian Doidge in December 2019.

Hibernian are among the clubs watching Loughgall and Northern Ireland Under-21 striker Benji Magee, along with Wrexham, Bolton, Charlton and Oxford United. (TeamTalk), external

Hibernian captain Joe Newell recognises that new investment from Bill Foley at Easter Road club has put extra focus on the need reach European football as they chase maximum points from their final two pre-split fixtures to give themselves a top-six chance. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

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Nick Montgomery admitted Hibs did not "deserve anything" from their 3-1 loss to Rangers, so should there be changes to the team for their match against St Johnstone?

Tell us your preferred starting XI here.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland

With just two games left before the split, Hibernian sit seventh in the Scottish Premiership, one point behind Dundee, who have played a game fewer.

The heat really is on now for Nick Montgomery's side; a win this weekend at home to St Johnstone is imperative.

When you look back at the league campaign it’s easy to say Hibs don't deserve a place in the top half, given they have eleven draws and only ten wins in 31 matches.

But when you analyse some of those matches and look at some of the VAR decisions that have gone against them, then their position becomes slightly more understandable.

Whatever happens, Montgomery is likely to be given time to rebuild in the summer but some key decisions will have to be made regarding the players whose deals are set to expire this summer.

First things first though. St Johnstone find themselves in a very tricky position and while Livingston look doomed at the bottom, Craig Levein will be doing his utmost to ensure the Perth Saints avoid the dreaded relegation play-off.

But with Martin Boyle back in his normal position this Hibernian team should be able to create the opportunities needed to put the Saints defence under pressure and give the home support something to cheer about in the final home game before the split.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Hibs' social media team found themselves at the centre of a storm after their cheeky "who had 20 minutes?" quip when mentioning the award of Rangers' spot kick on Saturday.

They were referencing the game of 'Rangers penalty bingo' played out by Hibs fans pre-match.

It was Rangers' sixth penalty in this fixture since December 2021 and, as with the one given at Easter Road in the Scottish Cup tie last month, it was contentious.

In the end, it was immaterial. James Tavernier saw his spot kick saved again by David Marshall, only for Scott Wright to score with the rebound.

A VAR review came to Hibs’ rescue as it showed Wright had encroached, but Hibs didn’t heed the warning and fell behind to a Tavernier strike shortly afterwards.

Although we would pull level before half time thanks to a wonderful bit of play between Elie Youan and Myziane Maolida, which led to the latter prodding the ball past Jack Butland, Hibs went into the break behind as they again switched off to allow Dessers to head past Marshall.

The second half didn’t have much going for it, Rangers eventually taking a grip on the game after Nick Montgomery’s substitutions disrupted Hibs’ play and it felt like only a matter of time before Rangers would extend their lead, which they did shortly before full time.

Rangers extend their unbeaten league run in this fixture, and us Hibees will have to hope that we get another crack at them should we make the top six.

It really could go either way. I think Hibs need to win both their games (St Johnstone at home and Motherwell away) to make it, but we are relying on help from other teams at this point - a wholly miserable position to be in given the spend on the team this season.

Matty Fairnie can be found on the Longbangers podcast., external

We asked for your thoughts after Hibs were defeated 3-1 by Rangers at Ibrox.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Mark: That's top six more or less gone. Another failed managerial experiment. Killie, St Mirren and Dundee all have much smaller turnovers, but they also have better, more competent people running their clubs and managing their teams. That's why they are in the top six and we aren't.

George: Thought we were OK. VAR again. Never a pen - why doesn't the ref stick with his decision? Apart from that result was about right, the Rangers squad is so strong. They got better after their subs came on. As for top 6, it's Dundee's to lose. We must win both remaining games, and hope.

John: Never a penalty or booking. Performance wasn’t that bad but we need to make sure we finish top six.

Kenny: Poor performance. There is no heart in this team and that can only come from the manager. The writing is on the wall again. Hibs are are a big team and we need a manager that can deliver, a manager with a track record. Right now we are on the road to nowhere.

Darren: Getting anything from Ibrox these days isn’t an easy task, especially when your defence ships goals like they’re going out of fashion. If Nick Montgomery wants to be successful then he needs to bring in two new centre-backs who can shore us up at the back.

Martin: Can’t see Montgomery here next season. With the level of investment coming, a better manager must be lined up

Anon: We need to manage expectations. Rangers defensively at home are tough and they know how to stifle our play in the final third. Top six is not in our hands but the final run-in either way can be used as a perfect training development window for next season.

Manager Nick Montgomery bemoaned "basic errors" in Hibernian's 3-1 loss to Rangers at Ibrox. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip

Did you make the trip to Glasgow or follow from home?

Wherever you were, we want to know what you made of Hibs' showing at Ibrox. Are you confident your side can still finish in the top six?

Give us a shout.

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Hibs manager Nick Montgomery told BBC Scotland: "It was good in parts but not good enough to beat a very good Rangers team. I thought we showed good character to get back into the game.

"We had a couple of chances but we didn't deserve anything today. I think we frustrated them in periods. We have to defend better.

"The timing of conceding that goal was disappointing. Getting in at 1-1, we could have frustrated them. We have to show a little bit more composure in and around the box.

"We prepare now for two big games. What we can control is the next game. This time of year, every point is vital. We're fighting for the top six so we'll do everything we can.

"We're a brave team. It's not just one person. It doesn't matter now, we move on from today and look forward to next week."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Ibrox

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Hibs kept this encounter competitive for a long time, playing some nice football.

They will wonder whether things could have turned out differently for them had they been able to avoid conceding in the seventh minute of time added on in the first half.

They'll now try to push for the top six, and welcomed back forward Martin Boyle for a second half cameo after his bad head-knock in the Scottish Cup defeat to Rangers at Easter Road.

Still, the long wait for a league win at Ibrox continues. It's something they haven't savoured since John McGinn scored in a 2-1 victory in February 2018.

What a signing Myziane Maolida has turned to be.

His seventh goal since arriving in the capital was exceptionally well taken, fending off Rangers defenders and finding the perfect finish.

The Hertha Berlin loanee has added an entirely new dimension to Nick Montgomery's attack.

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There's no changes to the Hibs XI that put in one of the best performances of Nick Montgomery's tenure to swat Livingston aside before the international break.

Welcome news on the bench is the return of winger Martin Boyle, who suffered concussion when the sides met earlier this month at Easter Road in the Scottish Cup.

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