Every word from Nick Montgomery Hibs Q&A after Killie win

What's your assessment of today's victory?

“It was a professional performance. Coming off the back of Wednesday night and conceding an injury-time equaliser, it was important to get a win. Clean sheet, three points and we could have made it easier. We could have killed it off earlier. But we limited them to one shot on target and they are a very physical and direct side. The fans were also fantastic and they pushed us through at the end when you know there will be some hairy moments with balls into the box. Kilmarnock have good delivery and height but our defending was resolute and it was a good performance.

Is there a real confidence about the team now?

“The confidence had always been there as has the belief. I have been here for eight weeks and other than the Rangers game at Ibrox, we have had draws where we have been unlucky. We have had unfortunate incidents not going our way but it was important to get three points going into the international break. And also we didn’t get any new injuries, which is good. 

We have been light on bodies so hopefully we can get some of them back fit. Some players will go on international duty but the rest will stay and we will work on how we are going to play. I am really proud of the boys’ effort today and it’s nice to get three points.

He was rested in midweek, but Martin Boyle showed his brilliance for the goal today...

“Martin is a special player and we have to protect him. Coming off in the semi-final he took a little knock and we didn’t risk him at St Mirren. We can’t take risks on a player of Martin’s stature at the club and it was the right decision to leave him on the bench at St Mirren. It freshened him up and he has had a disallowed goal, possibly penalty call and a couple at the end where he just lost his footing. Martin is a big player for us and it’s important that we don’t take risks when it’s not necessary.”

Did he come through the game unscathed?

“Martin’s fine. I could’ve played him at St Mirren but it was possibly a bit too soon after the semi-final. We decided not to take that risk, and today we got our just rewards because we had a fresh Martin Boyle and he looked dangerous every time he got on the attack. He was unfortunate not to score himself.

Will he be going away with Australia?

“I’m not the doctor but I will go down and have that conversation. If he’s fit, no problem, he’ll be raring to go with the Socceroos. If not, he’ll probably stay. Getting through 90 minutes probably tells you he’ll be desperate to go, and he’s a big player for them as well. If it was up to me, he’d stay and we’d rest him! But they’ve got good medical staff there and hopefully it’s two weeks of him recovering for a few days, and getting some minutes.

Josh Campbell has made a big contribution this week, hasn't he?

“I’m really happy for Josh, that’s two in two for him. He’s a player who’s probably been frustrated the first couple of weeks, but he’s kept his head down, worked hard and now he’s got his reward. He deserved to start at St Mirren, and he produced a goal, and again today. It’s a fantastic run from Boyley, he’s very unselfish rolling him in, and it’s a good finish. They worked well together today, putting a lot of pressure on their centre-backs, who like to go direct. We pressed really well at times. I’m really happy for Josh, but it’s a good team performance. A clean sheet and three points going into the international break, it’s a nice feeling.

It's a new role for Campbell - what can he offer there?

“Josh has played up front in a two for us. We lost Adam Le Fondre to injury last week and right now we’re thin on the ground. Josh has done a job for the team. He’s used to playing in a three-man midfield but he’s had to adapt and adjust, and he has done. He went wide at times today, and then moved up into the middle. That’s where he can really help us, he’s adapted to playing that and worked hard for his chance. It’s good to see a player get in and get his just rewards, I’m really happy for Josh."