Shankland the target of Hibs’ tactical plan
Hibs boss Nick Montgomery has emphasised the need to keep Hearts match winner Lawrence Shankland quiet amid the noise of Tynecastle tonight.
Montgomery, still stung by watching Shankland score an injury-time winner in that smashand-grab victory for the Jambos, says it’s not tough to identify the biggest threat to his team, explaining: “They have good individuals – not just Lawrence Shankland.
"But he’s been a focal point for them, and the stats tell you that you have to keep him quiet. The defenders know that.
"He's one of the best strikers in the league. There are plenty of games where he's been the difference between two teams – we know that.
"He's a quality player. Last time we kept him quiet until the 94th minute.
“They have one of the best strikers in the competition who I don’t think anyone can deny has been one of the most inform strikers in the league with his goals, and goals change games.
"And yes, he has got them a lot of points late on in games and by being clinical, and that’s what every team wants.
"Yes, he’s had a really good season.
“There are some good strikers in this league, so what you can’t do is give any time and space in the box to players that can punish you.”
Hearts will have to contend with Hibs’ own strikers, of course.
“Emiliano Marcondes has come in and scored goals, and so has Myziane Maolida,” added the Hibs boss. “They will always take a couple of weeks to gel and get into full training and understand the league and their teammates, but I think you can see that now in the last couple of weeks that the quality of the players we have brought in means we have some real matchwinners.”