Every word from Nick Montgomery Hibs Q&A ahead of Celtic

Did you watch Celtic against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night?

"Yeah, I watched the game and I thought it was a fantastic spectacle for the neutral. When you see that Champions League badge and hear the music, the stadium is electric. So, I really enjoyed watching the game. I thought Celtic were fantastic for 55-60 minutes. They were absolutely outstanding. And we are talking about Atletico Madrid, who are a top class team, and they came strong at the end. Even with a man sent off, that was good timing for Celtic because they really were putting a lot of pressure on them. It was a great game of football. There was so much attacking quality and it was really competitive and those are the games you really enjoy watching.

Was there an element of watching through the cracks of your fingers, thinking 'we've got to play them next'?

"No, not really. They are a top quality team and Brendan has done a fantastic job with them since Ange left. They are playing some fantastic football, and they are very attack minded, but they also conceded two goals. Athletic are a very good team, though, and I thought the result at the end was probably fair. But it was two very, very good teams and those are the teams you want to play against.

"This weekend it isn’t Celtic Park, we are at Easter Road, in front of our fans and our family, and we are really looking forward to that atmosphere. It is a good game for us."

As a young coach, how much do you relish these games, and is daunting stepping up to that level?

I’m relishing it. I’m a young coach and I had success overseas with a very young team and a really small budget and it is no different here in terms of playing the big teams. You know that they have a lot of quality in strength and depth but those are the games where you want to test yourself. As a player, I loved playing in the big games and, as a coach, when I came to this club, these were the games that everyone talked about and for me it is something I’m looking forward to.

Is this the pinnacle for so far for you, in terms of coaching development?

Celtic are one of the best teams I have coached against, for sure. You only need to see them midweek when they were playing against Atletico Madrid in the champions league. For me, this is a great opportunity to go up against a very, very good coach in Brendan Rodgers, who has had a lot of success in the Premier League and in the SPFL as well. It’s something I’m definitely looking forward to and I can’t wait for the game.

How useful is it to be able to dig into your experience being the underdog in Australia?

It is always good to be the underdog. If you’re the underdog then that gives you half a chance but the boys know they will have to fight. You are going to have to compete for 90-95 minutes but we are at home, in front of our fans so I don’t think anyone should come to Easter Road and have an easy game. I think we have already proven that. Your home form is something that can help you throughout the season but when the big teams come, they are used to going to big stadiums and big atmospheres but we have got to make it really difficult for them on the pitch and I’m sure that the fans will get behind the team. I have already witnessed how special that can be and this is a game we are all looking forward to.

Your team at Central Coast thrived on being the underdog, is that mindset transferrable to games against the likes of Celtic?

“A lot of it is transferrable, but I’ve only been here five or six weeks. There’s already been a lot of change in the way that we play, a lot of tactical and individual information. But in terms of transferring the mindset, that’s something that happens over time – it doesn’t happen overnight. But all credit to the boys, in terms of buying into the way we want to play. We have to be better in defensive actions which let us down last week. But that mindset playing against the big teams, as the underdog you have to fight and give everything that you’ve got because, ultimately, it’s 11 v 11. The game is winnable for either team.

How did you foster that mindset at Central Coast?

“It’s about training hard every day on the field, letting everybody know that it’s 0-0 when the game kicks off, and that if you defend and attack well, you’ve got a chance to win the game. But it can’t be for 50 per cent of the time, it has to be for the whole game because against the better teams you get punished. Concentration is definitely vital against the big teams, and that’s something we’ve spoken about this week.

Have you identified the real leaders in the dressing room, the guys you can rely on?

“I’ve got to know most of the players now, they’re a really honest bunch. There are players who have been here a while, players who have not had much football, but what have is a strong team spirit and a real camaraderie between the staff and players. Right now, it’s an opportunity for people to step up. We went six or seven unbeaten, lost one game and now the next one is an opportunity to bounce back. Yes, it’s against one of, if not the best team in the competition, but bar the result (last week) the performances is an indicator of where we are at the minute. That’s where I want to see everyone get back to.

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“I’m the leader of the group, and I take responsibility for every result. We’ve had Joe Newell being the captain when Paul Hanlon hasn’t been playing, and also have young players in the team as well. I think they can lead by their actions. I’ve not someone who thinks one person should lead, it’s about the whole group, and about the young players stepping up to become leaders in their own right. If you have 11 leaders out there on the field, those moments when you switch off there is more than one person organising the team. That’s something I’ll continue to work on and develop. Right now, I’m really pleased with the group. Everyone is digging in and helping each other.

We saw Josh Landers involved in first-team training this week, is he another young player who is now knocking on the door?

“Ever since I came in, I’ve said I’m a coach which believes in young players. There’s been five or six young players – if not eight or nine – of the U18s training with us on a regular basis. Without naming individuals, there’s been plenty of young players. It’s inspirational for them to see young Rory Whittaker making his debut at 16, then coming on at Ibrox. As a club, if you can show there’s a pathway into the first team. I think every time Rory has stepped on the field, he’s put his hand up and shown he’s good enough to play at this level, and in big games.

“All the young players have an opportunity to train with the first team on a regular basis, and no doubt there will be more in future. It then becomes about choosing the right time to expose them, but if they’re good enough, they’re old enough and there’s a couple of good kids coming through – hopefully they’ll get their opportunity."