Elie Youan says "unpredictable" team-mate Martin Boyle is "probably the craziest person I've met in my life" and the Frenchman insists he is the quicker of the two speedy Hibs forwards. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, BBC SportDundee are set to be at full strength, with Scott Tiffoney and Josh Mulligan back in action.
Hibernian are set to welcome back Christian Doidge but Adam Le Fondre (hamstring), Jake Doyle-Hayes (ankle), Harry McKirdy (heart) and Chris Cadden (Achilles) are all still absent.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSAn often frustrating figure in Leith, Elie Youan is determined to up his game as Hibs look to climb up the table after arresting their slump last time out.
The Frenchman has just two league goals this season, but is backing himself to make the difference centrally or from the wings, calling himself a "complete striker".
Despite sometimes drawing the ire of the Hibs faithful with his decision making, Youan has become a firm favourite in Nick Montgomery's set-up, with Youan praising the coach for his attacking philosophy.
"As a team, I think we are on the way. We won our last game," the forward said.
"I think we can do better and we work to be better every week. We are in a good position to get as high as possible in the league.
"I can do better as well. I can score more goals and get more assists. I want to help the team to win the games every week. I can do more and ask more from myself.
"I'm a striker but I'm good at 1v1, crossing, assists, scoring goals. I can play on the wings. I'm a complete striker.
"It's good for everyone to compete for their position. That helps the team to improve. When you have a lot of players in one position, you have to be the best version of yourself every day.
"We just want to win every game. The new gaffer came and now we know what he wants from us. We stick together to win every game.
"Since the first day that he came, everyone agrees with his philosophy. He had a plan from the beginning. He's a smart coach, he has a plan every week. We are happy to have him with us.
"We play 4-4-2 but it's more 4-2-4. Of course, we're attacking well but he asks for the defensive side as well. This is the right way."
Brian McLauchlin, BBC Sport Scotland
Nick Montgomery expressed his pride in the manner of which Jair Tavares has revitalised his Hibernian the career.
The 22-year-old made just nine appearances under former manager Lee Johnson last season, and only two this calendar year, before the Englishman was sacked.
Earlier this week, the Portuguese spoke of the “mental devastation” he endured over his lack of game time following his move to Easter Road from Benfica in the summer of 2022.
However, the winger has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence since Montgomery’s appointment in September, featuring in nine of the 11 games he's been in the dugout, starting each of the last five.
“Jair is a great example of a young player moving to a club and things not going as planned,” said Montgomery. “No doubt he’s had some tough times but the first thing I said to him when I came in was ‘you have to forget the past, you can’t have a victim mentality because if you do, it’s really hard to pick yourself up’.
“I think he’s been growing week by week with his confidence and I’ve been really proud of Jair.
“People are really starting to see the ability he has. He’s a real team player, he’s working his socks off, and he’s been outstanding ever since he came back into the team. He’s really receptive, an intelligent footballer and a real hard worker, and I think you can see he’s getting better all the time.
“He’s a great story for any player, young or old, who is thinking their career at a club is finished. A change of manager or whatever it may be, and all of a sudden you get an opportunity and you have to grab it with both hands. I think he’s done that.
“I think he’s got a lot more to come. He’s got a lot to improve on but when you don’t play for a long time, sometimes it takes a couple of games to get that game awareness and full confidence. Right now he’s on an upward trajectory and we all hope that continues.”
Image source, SNSBrian McLauchlin, BBC Sport Scotland at HTC
Nick Montgomery has been addressing the media as his Hibernian side return to action with a trip to Dundee this weekend.
Here are the key lines from his press conference:
Montgomery said the team have addressed conceding late goals, admitting it was a "mentality" thing. It's about "breaking the cycle".
He said for those not away on international duty, it has been a "really important" two week spell of training, and those with little knocks have had the chance to recover.
The manager said Hibs are "always on the lookout for future Hibs players," but stressed he is just focussing on games for now.
Montgomery said "outstanding" Jair Tavares' confidence has been "growing week by week" and he is "really, really proud of him".
The manager confirmed Christian Doidge is back in the squad.
Image source, SNSJair Tavares has revealed that his first season at Hibs was "the toughest time" of his career so far.
The 22-year-old signed for Lee Johnson from Benfica's youth set-up in the summer of 2022, but made just nine first-team appearances under the English manager, as he struggled to make an impact in his new surroundings.
“It was a hard time,” Tavares admitted to HibsTV. “The toughest time I’ve had in my short career.”
“I was devastated mentally to be honest. At that time the hardest thing was to come [to training] and smile. I was devastated mentally; I woke up every day knowing I wasn’t going to play at the weekend. I just had to try and smile.
However, Tavares has found a new lease of life under new manager Nick Montgomery, starting the last four games and scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw with Ross County.
The Portuguese winger now wants to repay that faith by showing what he's all about.
“Since day one [Montgomery] made it clear that it was a fresh start for everyone. I saw that as an opportunity.
"Every player wants to feel like the manager trusts him. I feel that the gaffer and the rest of the coaching staff are giving me trust.
“I just need to prove I’m able to do something to reward the trust they have in me.”
Image source, SNSTavares scored his first goal for Hibs with a lovely strike against Ross County
Dundee have only won one of their last 13 top-flight meetings with Hibernian (D6 L6), although they are unbeaten in their last three (W1 D2).
Hibernian have lost each of their last three Scottish Premiership away games against newly promoted sides, losing to Hearts in April 2022 (1-3), Dundee in May 2022 (1-3), and Kilmarnock in November 2022 (0-1).
Dundee have won both of their last two league games, last winning three on the bounce in the Scottish Premiership in November 2014 under Paul Hartley.
Hibernian have only lost one of their last 10 league games (W3 D6), and are looking for back-to-back league wins for the first time since March last season (three in a row).
Only Rangers (8) and Celtic (7) have kept more clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership this season than Dundee (6), with the Dee keeping five of those clean sheets in their last six league matches.
Manager Nick Montgomery is looking to use psychology to bring success to Hibs as he explained the methods that helped get former Easter Road favourite Jason Cummings believing in himself again during their time together at Central Coast Mariners. (Football Scotland), external
Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, BBC SportHibernian will be looking to build on their win against Kilmarnock just before the international break as they travel to Dens Park on Saturday.
Put yourself in Nick Montgomery’s shoes and pick your starting XI here.
Brian McLauchlin, BBC Scotland
The international break will have given Nick Montgomery time to breathe and reflect on the 11 matches he has been in charge of since taking over at Easter Road.
His record of three wins, two defeats and five draws could be classed as acceptable, but there is no doubt supporters will also want better.
Hibernian led in three of the matches that ended in draws and in two of those, Kilmarnock and Ross County, held two-goal advantages.
Turn these into victories and the league table looks a whole lot healthier.
The positives are that only Celtic and Rangers have scored more goals in the league than Hibernian this season. The negative, however, is that in 13 matches 20 goals have been conceded. A statistic that must be improved on if the club are to achieve their season-long ambitions.
Montgomery has been quoted as saying players may have to move on in January to enable new recruits to come in and bolster the squad. The defensive frailties this season are nothing new with numerous previous managers struggling to find the right players to slot into the areas that would strengthen the team.
This weekend's trip to Dundee begins a run of eight league matches that takes us into the start of January.
The Premiership newbies have had a good start to their campaign and with a stunning 4-0 home win over high-flying St Mirren before the break they will be confident of following up.
However, should the likes of Martin Boyle and Elie Youan be at full pace then they can be a real test for the Dens Park defence.
A win would see Hibernian leapfrog Dundee into the top half of the table and this should certainly be the aim for Montgomery and his players on Saturday.
Hibernian head coach Nick Montgomery says there have been "no conversations" with Lewis Stevenson and Paul Hanlon about extending their lengthy Easter Road careers beyond the end of the season but says he will continue to use the veteran defenders when needed. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, SNSFor St Mirren fans, there's some unwelcome news right at the end of the international break.
Ryan Strain lasted just 23 minutes in Australia's World Cup qualifier against Palestine in Kuwait, going off with what appeared to be a groin issue., external
The wing-back has been impressive for the Buddies in their fine start to the season but was replaced by Hibernian's Lewis Miller after picking up the injury early on.
Strain's St Mirren team-mate Keanu Baccus also started for the Socceroos along with Hibs forward Martin Boyle and Hearts defender Kye Rowles.
It was a former SPFL player who scored the only goal of the game, though, as Harry Souttar nodded in the winner in the first half.
Image source, BBC SportMatty Fairnie, Longbangers podcast, external
Hibs are back from the international break with a visit to the City of Discovery to face a Dundee side fresh off a convincing 4-0 win over third-placed St Mirren.
While that result may have raised a few eyebrows, it reflects a strong start to the season for Dundee, who many had tipped to be fighting battles at the foot of the table. They sit in fifth, two points ahead of Hibs in seventh.
The last time the sides met, Dundee left Easter Road with a point, but the home fans watching on in Leith left the stadium wondering how we didn't claim all three points. It was one of those afternoons where no matter what Hibs threw at Dundee, nothing penetrated a miserly defence.
Despite the league standings, Hibs will still see themselves as favourites for the match, and this is a fixture that they really need to win to keep in touch with the teams in the top half of the league as we head into the winter months - a period in which Hibs have a tendency to struggle.
The international break came at a good time, their last match saw them grind out a one-goal win over Kilmarnock, but the players looked like they were in desperate need of a break from a heavy schedule.
A win would see Hibs leapfrog Dundee, and place them in the top six. Sitting in the top half would be a fair reflection on how they’ve performed this season, even if the results haven’t always matched their displays on the park.
Image source, BBC SportAt the tail end of last week, we asked you for your thoughts on the season so far at Easter Road.
It's fair to say there's a lot of love for Nick Montgomery in Leith...
Anon: Hibs have potential with Monty, but the team lacks consistency, and we are giving away easy goals. It does seem to be improving from the start of the season.
Andy: Got to give Montgomery a bit of credit, this is Lee Johnson’s squad. He's definitely getting a tune out of the players, we’re a real threat going forward if we could find a few gems in the centre-back area and a solid left-back, I see no reason why we can’t finish better than last seasons fifth position.
Fergus: We just have to start winning. It’s that simple.
Eddie: I am impressed with the new manager but I worry about my fellow Hibs fans, they just don’t give any manager a chance. A bad run and it will be sack the manager! In my opinion that’s why Hibs are where we are at just now, average at best.
Colin: Nick Montgomery has stabilised the team with what's available and we're playing good football... If he can continue to improve us defensively, we'll win more games. Our mentality and game management needs to improve and we need more leaders on the pitch.
We’re knee-deep into the final international break of the calendar year… who’s already itching to get back to domestic action?
To get the club juices flowing, we want to know what you’re making of Hibernian's season so far.
Who’s been the star performer? Which summer signing has impressed? Who deserves a shout-out? What improvements need to be made?
Give us your take here.
Lewis Miller picked up the 'man of the match' award on his first competitive start for Australia in the Socceroos' 7-0 win against Bangladesh.
The Hibs full-back made one assist, created four chances and won eleven duals for Graham Arnold's side in their first 2026 World Cup qualifying match.
Former Hibs striker Jamie Maclaren scored a 36-minute hat-trick, but it was the 23-year-old who walked away with the award.
Image source, SNS
Image source, GettyLewis Miller made a memorable full debut as Australia started their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in style by thrashing Bangladesh 7-0.
Hibs right-back Miller played the full 90 minutes in Melbourne, his first competitive appearance for the Socceroos after two friendly run-outs last month.
One-time Hibs striker Jamie Maclaren hit a second-half hat-trick as the Socceroos racked up their biggest win in four years.
Easter Road forward Martin Boyle sat out the game but will fly out to join the Australia squad for next Tuesday's game with Palestine in Kuwait.
Hibernian do not have the spare cash needed to fund a January signing spree, according to head coach Nick Montgomery. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, BBC Sport
