'Hibs had passengers all over the park'

Matty Fairnie, Longbangers, external podcast

Saturday’s 4-0 humbling at the hands of Rangers showed that despite a promising start, Nick Montgomery still has a long way to go before his Hibs side is performing in a way that satisfies not just his own demands, but those of the supporters as well.

There aren’t many fans that expect to go to Ibrox and win, but we do expect to see a team that competes and fights for every ball in this fixture. Sadly though, that fight was sorely lacking on Saturday. The 4-0 score flattered Hibs, who couldn’t have asked for an easier afternoon to welcome their new manager.

Hibs continue to look vulnerable at the back – they have kept a clean sheet in only three games this season and Montgomery has some big questions to ask of his back line. David Marshall does not instil confidence, statistically his performances place him as one of the worst goalkeepers in the league, and he could have done better with at least two of Rangers’ goals.

Montgomery chose to stick with his favoured 4-4-2 formation, with Hibs carrying real attacking threat on paper at least. However, regardless of formations or systems, you simply cannot afford to carry passengers when you come up against Rangers, and on Saturday, Hibs had passengers all over the park.

I expect Montgomery will stick to his guns next weekend when the champions come calling at Easter Road. If Hibs are to take anything at all from the match, then the players must put far more into the game than they showed on Saturday. Fight, determination, tenacity, and a desire to win their individual battles are the non-negotiables for supporters, and anything less will likely result in another humbling afternoon.