Top line summary:

  • Disappointed not to have held on for all three points
  • Delighted to finally get off the mark under Montgomery
  • Excited to link up more with Emiliano Marcondes
  • Warns that Hibs have to be fully focused in top-six fight

You must have thought your goal was the winner?

“I thought the script was written for me, coming off the bench.
“I had half a hand in the first goal, scored the second, we got to 90-whatever-plus minutes and thought we had seen it out nicely.
“Then we obviously switched off and conceded a goal which was a real sucker punch for us. It’s disappointing. We were all down in the dressing room because we threw it away."

Was it a wee warning that things can't be taken for granted in this league?

“We’re frustrated. The first half wasn’t great, in the second half we were a lot better and we felt like we had done enough to win the game.
“We had good chances and got in front. But with the last kick of the game we switched off at the back stick and they punished us. That’s football, but it’s cruel. We’re really disappointed with how things panned out."

It must almost feel like a defeat?

“It does. We were in control, we defended really well in the last ten minutes when they had the ball and were slinging it into the box. But we got caught out with a ball that came across the box. We’re looking for someone to clear it, they’ve got the run on someone and rolled it in, and we’re all looking around at each other thinking, 'what the hell’s going on?’
“I guess it’s a bit of a wake-up call, a realisation you have to play to the final whistle because you can’t give chances like that away or you’ll get punished."

What was the gaffer's message to you at half-time?

“The message is always the same - just go and score! He has been pestering me to score for him because I always scored against him in Australia, so he was like, 'Come on, when are you going to get this goal for me?’
“I thought I was going to get him the three points on Wednesday.  It’s very simple when I come on the pitch, I want to score goals, I want to help us get three points.
“I think I have done that the majority of times I have played. It’s just disappointing to only get a point."

How ready are you to start?

“I’m always ready to start. Obviously my role varies here. I think I showed earlier in the season when I started I could make an impact that way or off the bench. It just depends on how we go.

“I’m fit. I think I showed in 45 minutes I am still alright. If you give me chances I am going to score.
“So it’s on the wide boys, or the number ten. Not me!"

It was a great ball from Joe Newell for your goal...

“It’s a great ball. Nectar played in one similar where I tried to chip the keeper and it was a little sighter.

"It’s the sort of channel where I love running in, where I can get off the shoulder of the centre-half. Joe flighted it in beautifully and I saw the 'keeper move a little early so I just managed to sneak it in to the near stick."

What's it like having Emiliano Marcondes behind you?

“He’s a very intelligent player and a good footballer, and it excites me playing with someone like that. I like to think I am quite an intelligent football player as well so we work well together.

“I was injured when we signed him, and his first game was Kilmarnock, and afterwards I messaged the gaffer and said, 'I think he and I will do well together on the pitch'. 

“He can see a pass, he creates space for other people, it’s given me a bit more excitement to come back in and get amongst it. I want to play and score goals and he is a player who can provide that for me."

It's going to be nip and tuck right up until the split now...

“We can’t look at other teams, we can only look at ourselves. We shot ourselves in the foot the other night, but that result is over now, we have to move on fast to the Livingston game.

“That’s where our full focus now and we have to get the three points, there’s no two ways about it. I don’t see any other way, we have to win."