Every word from Nick Montgomery Hibs Q&A after derby defeat

Do you feel hard done by?

“It’s a cruel game, at times. Both teams would probably have been happy with a draw, but it’s one moment of quality. It’s a quality strike, and it’s why there’s so much in the media about him moving on. He’s one of the best strikers in the league, and apart from that one moment we did keep him quiet. For large periods of the game we were very good, we just lacked that final pass, that final bit of quality to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Anyone watching that would’ve felt it was a draw – two missed penalties, and I thought it was a good advert for the league. We had good passages of play, there were big saves, mistakes as well, and it’s a lapse in concentration from a long goal-kick at the end, we don’t deal with it. I don’t think he could’ve put the ball anywhere else other than that top corner with his left foot. It obviously hurts.

Were you angry with the players there, because you’d have warned them about Shankland?

“We know they play direct balls into him, he’s strong and backs into you well, he’s smart the way he does it. I think sometimes it could be a foul but he’s smart and, again, I thought we nullified their threat for most of the game, it’s just that one moment. I’m angry and frustrated for the players because I don’t think they could’ve given me any more effort.

"The fight and desire was there, the pride in the shirt. It’s a tough one to take, my first loss at Easter Road. It’s probably the worst game to lose, that hurts and that’ll be a feeling for a long time. But we have to move on now and prepare for Motherwell.

And on the flipside, you didn't take your own chances...

“Everybody knows it’s about small margins and moments in the game. We had quite a lot of those moments tonight but take nothing away from their goalkeeper – he pulled off big saves, and saved a penalty as well.

READ MORE: Hibs instant analysis as Hearts snatch late derby victory

"You have to give credit where credit’s due. We just didn’t manage to put the ball in the net tonight, but I can’t fault the boys’ effort. I thought we played some really good stuff. It’s small margins and tonight one mistake and one moment of quality that was the difference.

Have you had any word on Josh Campbell?

“It's not as bad as we first thought. It’s a bad twist of his ankle and it adds to the long list of players we have out. Hopefully it’s not as bad. We just need to get through the break and hopefully we’ll have the injured boys back and we can bring in one or two reinforcements. There are not that many quality players out there not playing but we need to keep looking because the Asian Cup and African Cup of Nations we will lose four players from the squad. On the flip side it’s an opportunity for some of the fringe players.

What did you think of the carry on with Sky and the SFA?

“It’s nothing to do with me. We embraced it but things changed. I thought we came across well as a club where we gave access. It was something the club and Sky had agreed on and we wanted to embrace it and show what we are as a club. I think that was a good advert for the league tonight, people would have been off their seats with the drama. It was two teams having a good go.  But the other things are above my remit.