Montgomery’s trust can bring out the best in settled Maolida
Job satisfaction is not something Myziane Maolida has experienced much of recently, so to feel loved and wanted at Hibs is making a big difference to his life – on and off the pitch.
Maolida was so far out of the picture at Hertha Berlin at the start of this season that he was demoted to the B team by Pal Da rd ai, his coach in the german capital. Labelled lazy and his attitude questioned, the Comorian winger was made available for transfer and Hibs manager Nick Montgomery took a chance on a player who not that long ago moved from Lyon to Nice for nearly £10 million.
The 25-year-old took a little bit of time to settle and get fully fit at Easter Road, but he is now a regular starter. Three goals in eight league appearances is a healthy return for the forward, who will hope to continue his good form when Hibs take on Ross County in Dingwall in the Premiership tonight.
“I’m motivated just to play games and show my quality in every game,” said Maolida. “It’s easier to play well when the coach shows trust in you. That’s why I am really enjoying my football here. Hopefully I continue to do that. It’s different because you have to fight every day in training to show you can do something for the team. But once the coach has trust in you then you are more free on the pitch and in your head. It’s much better.”
His hell at Hertha has unsurprisingly led to little love lost between him and the Bundesliga 2 team. “There’s no contact,” he says of his parent club. “I’m just here and focused on what’s happening here. I have no contact with them. I am not disappointed because I am very happy here with my teammates, the fans and everybody here. I’m just concentrating on Hibernian. Maybe they look at my performances, maybe not. I don’t know.”
Maolida outlines what Montgomery has done for him as a player. “He gave me confidence,” said Maolida. “He talked with me the other week and we went through some video after a game to show what I can do better, what I did bad, and he helped me a lot. My family and friends say they can see I am enjoying my football, I’m more happy, my body language is much better. They’re happy for me that they’re seeing me like this.”
Now in the month of Ramadan, Maolida is also ready for the physical effects of the Muslim fasting period. He began fasting during the daylight hours on Monday but will get the chance to eat in the evening before playing County. He cannot drink water during the day either but he feels the monthlong sacrifice is worthwhile for his overall wellbeing.
“It’s not a difficult thing because I am prepared to do Ramadan,” added Maolida. “I did it last year so for me it’s a very good moment. I am feeling very good in my body and head so it will be a good thing for me to do Ramadan.
“We have to eat in the morning at four o’clock and after prayers you cannot eat any more, you have to wait until six and you eat after sleeping again. If you eat well in the morning it’s very easy.
“The more difficult thing is not to drink but when it’s normal for you it’s not so difficult. We have some days to prepare for this during the year, so you can sometimes do a fast to prepare your body for the month of Ramadan.”