Hibernian

After the respite last weekend’s win brought, it was back to reality with a bump as Hibs reverted to type on Saturday.

Another late goal at Ross County did the damage in a game that sums up Hibs’ season. Some brief optimism as we started well, taking the lead through the excellent Myziane Maolida, before an awful mistake from Rocky Bushiri let Simon Murray equalise.

After that, Hibs huffed and puffed but we were just frustratingly poor all over the pitch as Jordan White got a late winner.

There’s a reason there's so much discontent amongst the fans - as seen at the end of Saturday’s match when Nick Montgomery faced up to an irate travelling support - and you have to take your hat off to the Hibees that made the long trip to the Highlands only to witness such an abject display.

It looks like Hibs are determined to limp over the line as a hugely disappointing season draws to a close.

Aberdeen are up next, they’ve managed to be even worse than us this season, so Sunday probably won’t be one for the purists.

Matty Fairnie can be found on the Longbangers podcast., external

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Hibernian's big weakness is their defence, how soft they are, how easily they concede goals, and it was exposed again against Ross County.

It’s been their Achilles heel for a number of years now and I’m amazed it hasn’t been resolved by a number of managers.

They are always exciting going forward, and always have a goal threat, but if you’re going to consistently concede soft goals you’re never going to be high up the league.

There will be instructions coming from the manager, but you become predictable playing from the back sometimes, and it can cause you problems, which it has for Hibs. Sometimes as a player you need to take responsibility and play the odd long ball.

They are also very weak with balls into the box and they have to rectify that.

There needs to be a huge recruitment drive on the defence. It’s going to be an interesting summer at Easter Road.

Former Scotland goalkeeper Cammy Bell was talking to BBC Sport Scotland's George O'Neill.

Hibernian defender Jordan Obita admits he "probably didn't realise just how big a club it was until I got here". (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip

We asked for your thoughts after Hibs slumped to a 2-1 defeat away to Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Fergis: We can’t defend. Looked comfortable and scored our goal, but then just imploded at back. The second half was pretty dire and we really didn’t look like winning, before we gift another late goal. I really hoped we would win the last five games to build some confidence for Nick Montgomery, but now I really can’t wait for this season to end.

David: I’m done with this Hibs outfit. If they stick with Montgomery again they can keep their season ticket for next year. I’m not turning out to support us play out from the back - it's leaky and uninspired football.

Colin: At least we're consistent! We leak soft goals, especially late on in games and can't convert the numerous chances we create. The players let the fans down again. The lack of character and a robust mindset is there for all to see.

Scott: Same old, same old. Defensively we are a joke. Rocky Bushiri is never a top flight centre-half, Will Fish is too erratic, Lewis Miller too rash, Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson have been great servants but are now too old, and David Marshall is done. A complete new defence is required or next season will be exactly the same.

Darren: A full clear-out is needed from top to bottom. Nobody can say they should be exempt. The players have let everyone down and now they must pay. A complete fresh beginning next season or I fear relegation could be our next stop.

Adam Le Fondre, the 37-year-old striker who has scored five times since joining Hibernian from Sydney last summer, will leave the Scottish Premiership club when his contract expires this summer. (Sunday Mail), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Nick Montgomery insists his Hibs side should have won Saturday's game against Ross County.

Were you at the Global Energy Stadium for today's game or follow along from home?

We'd love to hear your reaction here.

Nick Montgomery tells BBC Scotland: "It’s a game I felt we should’ve one but it’s a game we have thrown away. I can’t excuse the goals we have conceded. Really, really poor goals. We do the difficult thing - going 1-0 up away from home - but we then concede a poor equaliser. After that we have chance after chance, I think 20 shots.

"We have one-on-ones, we hit the post, then we get undone by a mistake in the last five minutes we should never make. But as a collective, it’s down to everybody and that’s what happens when you don’t take chances. We’ve done it way too much this season and we’ve shot ourselves in the foot. It’s a game we should’ve took three points.

"I thought we dominated the game. In areas of the game, we played some really nice football. But we come away with nothing because we make mistakes, concede two really poor goals and don’t take our chances. We should’ve taken three points.

"The away fans are fantastic. We travel on the day, they travel on the day. It’s a long way to come. I think at 1-1 we get applauded off because they understand the frustration. They’re frustrated.

"I always go over — win, lose or draw — and clap all the fans. I’ve been a fan, I understand you work hard all week and you want to come support the team on. I went closer today to tell them I appreciate it and that I know we should have won the game. We understand their frustrations, it’s been a frustrating season from the start to the end."

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Hibernian, like their hosts, were willing to give up space in return for lightning quick attacking scenarios. But Nick Montgomery's men shot themselves in the foot too many times by displaying complete ineptitude in defensive situations.

Jojo Wollacott, Rocky Bushiri and Paul Hanlon all had moments to forget, with only the skipper's blushes spared. The 'keeper and his defensive partner were not so lucky as two mistakes led to both conceded goals.

Myziane Maolida and Martin Boyle were both threats on the wings, but Adam Le Fondre failed to inspire after coming on at half-time.

A tricky game to judge tactically as both teams seemed to embrace the chaos. But, undoubtedly, terrific viewing for the neutral fan.

Hibs goalscorer Myziane Maolida was a consistent threat going forward and was unfortunate not to seal all three points for the Edinburgh club with a second goal before County's late winner.

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Nick Montgomery makes three changes from last weekend's 3-1 victory over St Johnstone.

Club captain Paul Hanlon and striker Dylan Vente, who both netted off the bench versus the Saints, come into the starting XI.

In goal, Jojo Wollacott replaces veteran shot-stopper David Marshall - who drops out entirely.

Will Fish fails to make the squad after picking up a back injury last Saturday, whilst Elie Youan has not recovered from his ankle injury and misses out again.

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Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall, Baldwin, Leak, Efete, Nightingale, Reid, King, Dhanda, Brophy, Murray.

Substitutes: Wickens, Brown, Sims, Loturi, Harmon, Henderson, Khela, White, Ayina.

Hibernian: Wollacott, Cadden, Hanlon, Bushiri, Obita, Moriah-Welsh, Newell, Boyle, Marcondes, Maolida, Vente.

Substitutes: Johnson, Levitt, Mayenda, Stevenson, Le Fondre, Triantis, Tavares, Campbell, Owens.

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Rocky Bushiri has praised the Hibs coaching staff for helping him to have an "enjoyable" campaign in a new role.

The 24-year-old moved to the left-side of defence and has been a near ever-present since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

"We had a good week or training and preparation," Bushiri told Hibs TV, external.

"We're trying to keep it positive after a comfortable win last week. It shows our quality. We missed top six, but we're still there and we want to finish well.

"There is no game that's easy. We will give everything, like we always do. Ross County are fighting to stay in the league, but we'll try and get a good result.

"I've enjoyed [this season] because I've played. I've been helped by a good coaching staff. I've also played on the left side, which is new to me, so I'm grateful."

Ross County could welcome back Will Nightingale after almost three months out with a hamstring issue, while goalkeeper George Wickens is available after missing the defeat at Livingston.

Max Sheaf (muscle), Dylan Smith (ankle), Ross Callachan (knee) and Scott Allardice (knee) are still out.

Hibernian forward Elie Youan remains doubtful after missing the win at St Johnstone with an ankle injury while a late decision will be taken on Will Fish, who went off last weekend with a back issue.

Luke Amos could return following his injury lay-off but Lewis Miller (hamstring) and Jake Doyle-Hayes (ankle) are still out.

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Hibs manager Nick Montgomery says the VAR independent review panel viewing Hearts' penalty in the Edinburgh derby in February as an error felt like "a punch in the face".

Montgomery feels poor decisions have negatively impacted Hibs' campaign.

"In terms of the apologies we received after Aberdeen, a game where we probably had the most blatant handball we have seen all season," said Montgomery.

“Ross County, who we play tomorrow, they take our throw in 20 metres up the field and score from it. We get an apology after it but VAR can’t intervene because they threw it in the pitch and the referee didn’t stop the game.

“You look at the Hearts. You look at the incidents that came out in the media. It’s just like another punch in the face to be honest.

“Because to live through that and have a derby win taken off us, taken off the fans and the boys who put the effort in and deserved to win that game on an incident that everyone knew was wrong in the night.

“For that to come out and be said in the report it was the wrong decision it was unacceptable. It’s unacceptable. You just look at the big picture, the big impact that has on seasons and where teams finish in the leagues.

“It’s a tough job for referees and officials in VAR but it’s very clear clubs have invested into a VAR system to ensure we don’t don’t get decisions like that wrong in massive games. This is to help the referees."

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Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery has been speaking to the media ahead of his side's trip to Ross County on Saturday.

Here are the key points:

• No decision made yet on possible contract extensions for club stalwarts Lewis Stevenson or Paul Hanlon.

• Talks will also take place about keeping loanees Emiliano Marcondes and Myziane Maolida for next season.

• Already working to identify “key players” for next season to have as strong a squad as possible.

• Hearing the VAR outcomes from the SFA's independent review panel this week was like getting a “punch in the face".

• Praises the attitude of his players, saying they have been "spot on" following last weekend's comfortable win over St Johnstone.

• Squad looking “quite healthy” for match to Dingwall, though right-back Lewis Miller remains out.

Hibernian's posts-split games "don't have the same edge" after they failed to secure a place in the top half of the table, says BBC Scotland pundit Stephen Craigan.

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Hibernian head coach Nick Montgomery has adopted a "never say never" approach as he hopes to keep Myziane Maolida at Easter Road despite parent club Hertha Berlin touting the 25-year-old forward around Europe on the back of his loan success in Scotland. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Montgomery is also hopeful of retaining 29-year-old midfielder Emiliano Marcondes, who is out of contract with Bournemouth this summer. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

We asked you who think has been Hibs' player of the year, despite the team's disappointing season.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Kris: To say this season has been a embarrassment is a understatement, but there are three players who I feel deserve player of the year: Elie Youan has to be up there for the numbers he’s produced this season. Joe Newell has been excellent, and the fan favourite Jordan Obita, who I think is good but not as good as been made out to be.

Hamish: Definitely Myziane Maolida. Such an impact for a first season and stats certainly don't lie. Really hope we can keep him for next season. Truly one of the shining lights in a pretty dark and dreary season.

George: Obita. Only player to perform week in, week out, with only the very occasional wobble. Chris Cadden runs him close, but Obita played more games, so Cads just misses out. Maolida - flits in and out of games, not for me. Emiliano Marcondes: silky, but like Cads, not played enough. The rest: forget it, lads.

Alan: Newell the only candidate for me.

John: Very few have been consistently good to even get a mention. Maolida and Cadden have been excellent. Newell our best in midfielder, though probably suffered from too many changes in personnel.

Kenny: The player that’s stood out all season has been Newell. He has been hard working and has tried to keep driving the team on. Best for me.