Adam Le Fondre, the 37-year-old striker who has scored five times since joining Hibernian from Sydney last summer, will leave the Scottish Premiership club when his contract expires this summer. (Sunday Mail), external
Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Nick Montgomery insists his Hibs side should have won Saturday's game against Ross County.
Were you at the Global Energy Stadium for today's game or follow along from home?
We'd love to hear your reaction here.
Nick Montgomery tells BBC Scotland: "It’s a game I felt we should’ve one but it’s a game we have thrown away. I can’t excuse the goals we have conceded. Really, really poor goals. We do the difficult thing - going 1-0 up away from home - but we then concede a poor equaliser. After that we have chance after chance, I think 20 shots.
"We have one-on-ones, we hit the post, then we get undone by a mistake in the last five minutes we should never make. But as a collective, it’s down to everybody and that’s what happens when you don’t take chances. We’ve done it way too much this season and we’ve shot ourselves in the foot. It’s a game we should’ve took three points.
"I thought we dominated the game. In areas of the game, we played some really nice football. But we come away with nothing because we make mistakes, concede two really poor goals and don’t take our chances. We should’ve taken three points.
"The away fans are fantastic. We travel on the day, they travel on the day. It’s a long way to come. I think at 1-1 we get applauded off because they understand the frustration. They’re frustrated.
"I always go over — win, lose or draw — and clap all the fans. I’ve been a fan, I understand you work hard all week and you want to come support the team on. I went closer today to tell them I appreciate it and that I know we should have won the game. We understand their frustrations, it’s been a frustrating season from the start to the end."
Image source, SNSCam Wanstall
BBC Sport Scotland
Hibernian, like their hosts, were willing to give up space in return for lightning quick attacking scenarios. But Nick Montgomery's men shot themselves in the foot too many times by displaying complete ineptitude in defensive situations.
Jojo Wollacott, Rocky Bushiri and Paul Hanlon all had moments to forget, with only the skipper's blushes spared. The 'keeper and his defensive partner were not so lucky as two mistakes led to both conceded goals.
Myziane Maolida and Martin Boyle were both threats on the wings, but Adam Le Fondre failed to inspire after coming on at half-time.
A tricky game to judge tactically as both teams seemed to embrace the chaos. But, undoubtedly, terrific viewing for the neutral fan.
Hibs goalscorer Myziane Maolida was a consistent threat going forward and was unfortunate not to seal all three points for the Edinburgh club with a second goal before County's late winner.
Image source, SNSNick Montgomery makes three changes from last weekend's 3-1 victory over St Johnstone.
Club captain Paul Hanlon and striker Dylan Vente, who both netted off the bench versus the Saints, come into the starting XI.
In goal, Jojo Wollacott replaces veteran shot-stopper David Marshall - who drops out entirely.
Will Fish fails to make the squad after picking up a back injury last Saturday, whilst Elie Youan has not recovered from his ankle injury and misses out again.
Image source, SNS
Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall, Baldwin, Leak, Efete, Nightingale, Reid, King, Dhanda, Brophy, Murray.
Substitutes: Wickens, Brown, Sims, Loturi, Harmon, Henderson, Khela, White, Ayina.
Hibernian: Wollacott, Cadden, Hanlon, Bushiri, Obita, Moriah-Welsh, Newell, Boyle, Marcondes, Maolida, Vente.
Substitutes: Johnson, Levitt, Mayenda, Stevenson, Le Fondre, Triantis, Tavares, Campbell, Owens.
Image source, SNSRocky Bushiri has praised the Hibs coaching staff for helping him to have an "enjoyable" campaign in a new role.
The 24-year-old moved to the left-side of defence and has been a near ever-present since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
"We had a good week or training and preparation," Bushiri told Hibs TV, external.
"We're trying to keep it positive after a comfortable win last week. It shows our quality. We missed top six, but we're still there and we want to finish well.
"There is no game that's easy. We will give everything, like we always do. Ross County are fighting to stay in the league, but we'll try and get a good result.
"I've enjoyed [this season] because I've played. I've been helped by a good coaching staff. I've also played on the left side, which is new to me, so I'm grateful."
Ross County could welcome back Will Nightingale after almost three months out with a hamstring issue, while goalkeeper George Wickens is available after missing the defeat at Livingston.
Max Sheaf (muscle), Dylan Smith (ankle), Ross Callachan (knee) and Scott Allardice (knee) are still out.
Hibernian forward Elie Youan remains doubtful after missing the win at St Johnstone with an ankle injury while a late decision will be taken on Will Fish, who went off last weekend with a back issue.
Luke Amos could return following his injury lay-off but Lewis Miller (hamstring) and Jake Doyle-Hayes (ankle) are still out.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSHearts' equaliser in the 1-1 Edinburgh derby draw in February was a Lawrence Shankland penalty that an independent VAR review panel have since found should not have been given
Hibs manager Nick Montgomery says the VAR independent review panel viewing Hearts' penalty in the Edinburgh derby in February as an error felt like "a punch in the face".
Montgomery feels poor decisions have negatively impacted Hibs' campaign.
"In terms of the apologies we received after Aberdeen, a game where we probably had the most blatant handball we have seen all season," said Montgomery.
“Ross County, who we play tomorrow, they take our throw in 20 metres up the field and score from it. We get an apology after it but VAR can’t intervene because they threw it in the pitch and the referee didn’t stop the game.
“You look at the Hearts. You look at the incidents that came out in the media. It’s just like another punch in the face to be honest.
“Because to live through that and have a derby win taken off us, taken off the fans and the boys who put the effort in and deserved to win that game on an incident that everyone knew was wrong in the night.
“For that to come out and be said in the report it was the wrong decision it was unacceptable. It’s unacceptable. You just look at the big picture, the big impact that has on seasons and where teams finish in the leagues.
“It’s a tough job for referees and officials in VAR but it’s very clear clubs have invested into a VAR system to ensure we don’t don’t get decisions like that wrong in massive games. This is to help the referees."
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSHibs head coach Nick Montgomery has been speaking to the media ahead of his side's trip to Ross County on Saturday.
Here are the key points:
No decision made yet on possible contract extensions for club stalwarts Lewis Stevenson or Paul Hanlon.
Talks will also take place about keeping loanees Emiliano Marcondes and Myziane Maolida for next season.
Already working to identify “key players” for next season to have as strong a squad as possible.
Hearing the VAR outcomes from the SFA's independent review panel this week was like getting a “punch in the face".
Praises the attitude of his players, saying they have been "spot on" following last weekend's comfortable win over St Johnstone.
Squad looking “quite healthy” for match to Dingwall, though right-back Lewis Miller remains out.
Hibernian's posts-split games "don't have the same edge" after they failed to secure a place in the top half of the table, says BBC Scotland pundit Stephen Craigan.
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Hibernian head coach Nick Montgomery has adopted a "never say never" approach as he hopes to keep Myziane Maolida at Easter Road despite parent club Hertha Berlin touting the 25-year-old forward around Europe on the back of his loan success in Scotland. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Montgomery is also hopeful of retaining 29-year-old midfielder Emiliano Marcondes, who is out of contract with Bournemouth this summer. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.
We asked you who think has been Hibs' player of the year, despite the team's disappointing season.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Kris: To say this season has been a embarrassment is a understatement, but there are three players who I feel deserve player of the year: Elie Youan has to be up there for the numbers he’s produced this season. Joe Newell has been excellent, and the fan favourite Jordan Obita, who I think is good but not as good as been made out to be.
Hamish: Definitely Myziane Maolida. Such an impact for a first season and stats certainly don't lie. Really hope we can keep him for next season. Truly one of the shining lights in a pretty dark and dreary season.
George: Obita. Only player to perform week in, week out, with only the very occasional wobble. Chris Cadden runs him close, but Obita played more games, so Cads just misses out. Maolida - flits in and out of games, not for me. Emiliano Marcondes: silky, but like Cads, not played enough. The rest: forget it, lads.
Alan: Newell the only candidate for me.
John: Very few have been consistently good to even get a mention. Maolida and Cadden have been excellent. Newell our best in midfielder, though probably suffered from too many changes in personnel.
Kenny: The player that’s stood out all season has been Newell. He has been hard working and has tried to keep driving the team on. Best for me.
Image source, BBC/SNSRoss County have only had one win in their last seven league meetings with Hibs (D3 L3), a 2-0 victory in November 2022.
Hibs have only lost one of their last six league visits to Ross County (W2 D3), going down 1-0 in November 2021.
Ross County are unbeaten in their last five Scottish Premiership home matches (W3 D2), their longest unbeaten run at the Global Energy Stadium since April 2022 (7 - W3 D4).
Hibs have won just one of their last eight matches on the road in the Scottish Premiership (D5 L2), although that did come in their last such match, beating St Johnstone 3-1. Hibs could win back-to-back matches on the road for the first time this season, last doing so in March 2023.
After notching just one goal in his first five Scottish Premiership appearances for Hibs after joining on loan in January, Myziane Maolida has since scored six in his last nine league appearances. In fact, since scoring his first goal for the club (January 27), only Lawrence Shankland and Theo Bair (both eight) have scored more league goals than Maolida (seven).
Hibernian manager Nick Montgomery will prioritise quality over quantity in his summer rebuild. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external
Hibs make the trip up to Perth to take on a struggling Ross County side who have just suffered a 2-0 defeat to Livingston.
But who should make the starting XI for Nick Montgomery's side?
Pick your line-up here.
It's been a disappointing season for Hibs, with Nick Montgomery's side unable to secure a top-six finish.
But who has impressed you most for the Easter Road club this season?
Performances and results like last Saturday’s win over St Johnstone won't do Nick Montgomery any harm. Whether it turns out to be enough, time will tell.
Managerial change shouldn’t be the number one priority at Hibs, though. It’s the running of the club, the structure, the leadership - you need to get things right at the top as it all flows from there.
There’s a lack of leadership at Hibs which then permeates through to recruitment. There’s a lot of wastage there. You need to be trimming all that away to focus in on how you make the club efficient.
The difficulty for Montgomery is that on the back of Shaun Maloney and Lee Johnson, if he is still there at the start of next season then he needs a bright start.
Fans need to see something that’s a definitive sea change. For too long it’s just been bobbing along. The fans need something to believe in as there’s been a lack of substance. Negativity is bubbling under the surface.
The two games leading up to the split were massive perception shifters. The defeat at home to St Johnstone was really poor, but up until then, from the end of the transfer window, I felt Hibs had recruited well for the first time in a number of years and generally the performances showed something beginning to take shape.
Do you now throw the baby out with the bathwater? I feel the right course of action is to stick with Montgomery, but I can understand the folk making a case contrary to that.
Michael Stewart was speaking to BBC Sport Scotland's Martin Watt
Image source, SNSTwenty-six decisions since the start of the Premiership season have been deemed incorrect by the Scottish FA's VAR independent review panel.
The tally, based on incidents requested by the panel or submitted for consideration, is a rise of 10 since February's last meeting of the group.
Not among the incidents included was one where Hibernian claimed the Scottish FA agreed an error had been made.
The governing body later disputed that assertion, made after Hibs were not awarded a penalty after Aberdeen's Nicky Devlin handled in February's 2-2 draw.
The 10 incorrect decisions shared with Premiership clubs on Wednesday were:
Rangers 2-1 Aberdeen (6/02/24): VAR intervention was correct, but final outcome should have been yellow card to Rangers' Dujon Sterling. Referee retained his on-field decision of a red card.
St Mirren 2-0 Dundee (7/02/24): VAR intervention was correct, but final outcome should have been yellow card to St Mirren's James Bolton. Referee retained his on-field decision of a red card.
Ross County 1-1 St Mirren (27/2/24): VAR should have recommended an on-field review. Final outcome should have been penalty awarded against Ross County for handball.
Hearts 1-1 Hibernian (28/2/24): VAR intervention correct, but penalty decision, which led to Hearts' equaliser, should have been overturned - no foul and no penalty should have been awarded.
Kilmarnock 1-2 Rangers (28/2/24): VAR should have recommended an on-field review. Final outcome should have been penalty decision, which led to Kilmarnock opening the scoring, overturned - no handball offense against Rangers.
Hearts 2-0 Celtic (3/3/24): VAR should have recommended an on-field review. Penalty decision should have been overturned - no foul and no penalty should have been awarded to Celtic.
Hearts 2-0 Celtic (3/3/24): On-field decision correct, no penalty to Hearts. Handball should not have been awarded for spot-kick that led to opening goal.
Motherwell 0-1 Aberdeen (16/04/24): VAR should have recommended an on-field review. Penalty to Motherwell should have been awarded for handball.
Hibernian 1-2 St Johnstone (6/4/24): VAR should have recommended an on-field review. Penalty should have been awarded to Hibs for foul by St Johnstone goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.
St Mirren 1-2 Hearts (6/4/24): VAR intervention correct, but penalty should have been awarded to St Mirren for a foul on Conor McMenamin by Aidan Denholm.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland
Hibernian's win in Perth at the weekend was undoubtedly a relief for manager Nick Montgomery, and also the fans who have supported the team in great numbers both home and away this campaign.
But one swallow does not make a summer, and the emphasis now has to be on backing up the victory with another three points in Dingwall this Saturday.
In a season that many will be keen to forget, just getting back on the pitch and playing again can be looked upon as a major achievement for one particular player.
Chris Cadden suffered a serious Achilles injury in the final game of last season which kept him out for over eight months.
The reward for undergoing countless hours of rehab and working hard in the gym was eventually getting back on the pitch and taking the place he rightly deserves with his teammates.
The 27-year-old is a very popular figure at Easter Road and in his four years at the club has proven to be more than a valuable asset for the club.
If that terrible injury on the final day of last season hadn’t occurred then could a case have been made for him to be at least a candidate for Steve Clarke’s Euros squad?
Aaron Hickey probably made the spot his own but a hamstring injury has ruled him out for the rest of the season at Brentford and it’s a fingers crossed job to see if he will be fit enough for the tournament opener against Germany.
With Everton’s Nathan Paterson also out that leaves Celtic's Anthony Ralston as the only other right-back who has been a regular in the Scotland squad.
So who else is there? Options look limited and given he now looks back to full fitness would it be too much of a curveball for Cadden to at least be considered?
It certainly would be an amazing end to a season for a player who 12 months ago suffered such a terrible injury.
