Top line summary

  • 'Relief' in victory, but should have been more comfortable
  • 'Top class' Myziane deserved his goal
  • Win can be a springboard for rest of the season

Nick Montgomery spoke to the media after Hibs' 2-1 win over Dundee at Easter Road - here's everything the manager had to say...

Just happy to get the win, or should that have been more comfortable?

“It should have been more comfortable – but we’ve probably said that too many times this season. I thought the performance was worthy of three points. The stats tell you it should have been a lot easier than it was. Dundee had one shot on target and scored a goal from that, a long throw-in and second phase, so we’re disappointed to concede that. But the game could had probably should have been out of sight by the. All credit to Dundee, because Carson was outstanding for them, pulling off some outstanding saves.

"Our boys showed real character, losing a goal at such a late stage and then coming back. And the fans today were outstanding, they stayed behind the team – and appreciated the performance. There are times when you have a bit of bad luck against you. We seem to have a lot. But we can’t rely on that, can’t rely on VAR, we just have to be better – and have to kill teams off when we’re on the front foot. I thought Myziane’s goal just summed up his performance. And the team’s performance more than deserved the win. This builds a good foundation moving into Wednesday’s derby.

Was that the best football the team has played since you arrived?

“We’ve played some good football and haven’t always got the results we deserved. We’ve thrown away a lot of leads. Too many draws. In the transfer window, we worked really hard to bring in some quality players. To get some of the injured boys back, to bring in new talent in the window, give them time to integrate with the squad and get used to the league, it took some time. But today you saw some really top performances from players who have only been here a couple of weeks. And I think that galvanised everybody. I’m a bit relieved to get the win because we’ve been a bit anxious at times, dropped points in games we could have and should have won. Today is another step forward to building on this end to the season."

Does the win leave you feeling well-equipped and confident for the derby?

“We go out every week trying to win the game. Anyone can win a derby. In the last derby here, we probably deserved something out of the game – Martin Boyle missed a penalty, we had enough opportunities to win the game, then one moment of brilliance from Lawrence Shankland and a mistake at the back cost us on the night. We go into every game feeling we’ve got an opportunity to get a result, and that won’t change on Wednesday. I’m really looking forward to going to Tynecastle, knowing it will be a good atmosphere. Hearts had been on a great run. But it’s a derby. Anything can happen."

There were fitting tributes to Ron Gordon, today, too...

“It was a great tribute to Ron. Unfortunately, I never got to meet Ron. But I see Ron every day in his son Ian and Kit. I know how special Ron is to the club, what he did for the club. It was fitting for us to get three points when we were marking the anniversary of his passing. Not a day goes by when we don’t think about Ron and what he did for the club. It’s been really nice to see the tributes this week – and we hope to finish the season strong."

Myziane got the winner, but how important was his link-up and positioning to the overall performance?

“He’s a top-class player and you saw that today. He’s getting with the more minutes he gets into his legs. Myziane and a couple of the other guys, like Marcondes, who came in during the window came because they weren’t getting regular football. That’s one thing I spoke to Myziane about when he came in, giving him that opportunity. He’s been getting better week in, week out and against every team he’s a real threat.

READ MORE: Hibs instant analysis - BIG win, Myziane unplayable, Rocky impresses

"You saw his quality in so many moments, and he’s a real team player as well. He more than deserved that goal. Dylan Vente came back into the team and it was nice for him to score, too. He could probably have had a hat-trick today. Rocky Bushiri came back after being away at the AFCON, and he put in a solid performance. Everybody that came off the bench, too, it was a real team performance."

Going into the derby, do you feel more confident defensively after today?

“It was a good defensive display, but they had one shot on target and scored one goal, so that’s disappointing. But the boys were solid and David Marshall didn’t have much to do. But we do have accept that we conceded a goal from one shot on target. We have to keep working hard. With all the players returning from injury and international duty, the squad is looking really strong. We have to give ourselves every chance to finish the season as strong as we can."