Top line summary

  • 'Really pleased' with result and performance.
  • Martin Boyle vitally important
  • Chris Cadden got dressing room ovation after long-awaited return.

Nick Montgomery spoke to the media after the 3-1 Scottish Cup win away at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Here's everything the manager had to say...

What's your overall thoughts on the game?

“It’s never an easy cup tie, coming here on a difficult pitch. But I’m really pleased with the boys’ effort today and happy we’ve progressed to the next round. Job done.

How important is having Martin Boyle back?

“Martin is massively important to us. I’ve been saying it since January, when we lost the boys to international duty, four of them. It’s great to have him back.

“Not having Martin Boyle, Lewis Miller and Rocky Bushiri, you need all those boys fit and available. You can see the difference in the last two games when we’ve had Martin back, he’s been a real threat.

“On and off the park, he lifts people. He’s a character. And not only do you miss players, you miss characters.

“He’s a talisman and he’s always a threat with his pace. He’s also unselfish, so he creates goals and scores goals. You saw today just how much he loves playing for Hibs and being out there – no doubt he’s missed it over the last six weeks.

What was on your mind with the half-time changes?

“There were five new players who started the game that I brought in during January.  We are still getting boys fit and what I’ve lacked all season is the ability to make impact off the bench.

“I planned to make changes at half-time. That gave us the ability to play at a high intensity and then make changes as and when needed. I thought everybody who came on really contributed to the result.

One of those was Chris Cadden, a great moment for him?

“It’s massive for Chris. We’ve tried to accelerate everything in the last couple of weeks. Today was a great opportunity, just when the game looked quite comfortable, to put him on.

“When you’ve been out for so long, just to get back on is a big step. And you see the reception the fans gave him. We’ve missed him as much as they’ve missed him.

“We had a little moment in the dressing room where the boys gave him a round of applause. Because when you’ve been out for that long, it’s a real difficult journey back to playing. But that’s a big step for Chrissy today.

“He definitely needs more game time. He’ll be disappointed at the end not to get across and stop that finish for their goal. But fair play to the lad, it’s a fantastic finish in the top corner.

And so nearly a clean sheet...

“It was probably the first shot Marsh had to face. But all credit for a top finish.

“It’s a positive end to the week. We’ve got players back. We’ve got a squad back together, which we didn’t have in January.

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“I’m still disappointed we didn’t beat Celtic in midweek. That is still a little bit raw today. I think that spurred the boys on today.

“I think we deserved two wins from this week. It’s only one win – but it’s put us through to the next round, so we’ll get back tonight and start preparing for Aberdeen.”