Ex-Celt Kris tips ‘not too bright’ Jason to shine
at Ibrox on a loan deal until May, could be a star with Rangers.
And he advised Graeme Murty to follow the example of Neil Lennon, who managed to coax the best performances from one of Scottish football’s unique personalities.
Commons said: “I played alongside Jason five times for Hibs. He’s a character and he does things without thinking but that’s probably the best thing about him.
“He doesn’t get too fazed by big games, which is maybe why he’s always done well in them. He is a bit up and down and I don’t know what his best position is – I can’t say he’s a No.9. I don’t think he’s a 10.
“Jason seems like Leigh Griffiths was like eight or nine years ago in that you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get from him.
“I think he knows the kind of environment he is coming into. I know it’s not gone down too well on social media with a few Hibs fans; however, he’s trying to do the best by his own career and after one [league] goal in 14 at Nottingham Forest something had to change.
“He needed to get his season going again and whether that is coming up here for six months, get going again and go back to Forest, I don’t know? But it’s hard as a striker to play well in a team that is struggling and Forest are 15th at the minute.
“It’s difficult to build momentum as a striker when you are not in your position and the team is not making a lot of chances.
“But under Murty he will be around people he knows. He will not be far from Edinburgh and hopefully those home comforts will help him put a lot more concentration into a game.”
Cummings became an internet sensation last season when he dressed up as a wrestler for a prank at the Hibs training ground.
And while he is a talent, there has always been the fear that his off-the-cuff personality could prevent him from reaching his potential.
Commons said: “The boy has ability. He just needs to get the right direction in terms of where he wants his career to go. A bit of motivation maybe or someone to show him down the right path.
“He’s a funny guy who is up for anything. He certainly lifts the mood of the dressing room. Because he’s not the brightest, he amuses everyone. You could be having a bit of a nightmare but because he is ‘not there’ he lifts the place.
“I wasn’t there the day he was wrestling in his pants but I saw it on social media. When I was sharing a changing room with him he wasn’t too bad. I don’t know if me walking in there meant he tried to give off a more professional persona.
“But he was just a funny guy with a lot of ability. He just needed guidance and that’s where I thought Neil Lennon was good with him.”