Hibs squad able to have a laugh over double KO video that went global
The entire Hibs squad were treated to a viral video highlight as they watched replays of Nectar Triantis taking out two team-mates with an ill-advised quick free-kick at Ibrox. And Nick Montgomery has joked that the global fame generated by the hilarious ‘highlight’ could have a lasting effect in building an audience for the Scottish Premiership club.
Montgomery, who praised ‘inspirational’ Myziane Maolida for picking up the league’s Player of the Month award for March while sticking to a strict regime of fasting during Ramadan, revealed that he’d asked the video analysts at East Mains to include one infamous moment in the selection of footage presented to the squad for Monday’s post-game debrief on last weekend’s 3-1 away loss to Rangers. As they sat down for an otherwise serious session, the players saw Triantis put both Joe Newell and Will Fish on the deck in a clip that travelled halfway round the world via social media.
Monty said: “Honestly, you have to laugh. We put that clip in the team video after the Rangers game. And I still think it’s impossible to do what he did! How he’s knocked two of his own players out, I don’t know. Thankfully nobody got hurt. But I think the funniest thing is that he still played the 70-metre diagonal ball on the half-volley while we had two players down! We had a real laugh about it. And I don’t think you’ll ever see that again in football. It was bizarre.
“It’s good that it’s gone viral, for whatever reason. Any publicity is good publicity. Hibs have gone worldwide for that incident. We want Hibs to go worldwide because of our goals and success in the future, but there are probably people in the world who had never heard of Hibs, who are now following Hibs because of that moment.
“He does strike a ball well, to be fair. And we do say that, if it’s on quickly, play quickly. But you just have to make sure we don’t have our own players standing in front. That was amazing, really, when you think about it.”
Hibs face St Johnstone at Easter Road this afternoon, knowing that only a victory will do if they’re to retain any chance of making the top six. Montgomery is confident in his team – and especially pleased to see his attacking players score 13 goals in their last seven league games. Maolida has been crucial to that tally, scoring in each of his last four Scottish Premiership appearances.
Monty said: “He’s more than deserving of the award. He’s scored some big goals for us. When I brought him to the club, I was under no illusions about his talent. He needed a home, needed fans to like him. He had a difficult start when I threw him in against Rangers at home. But I think that was a real wakeup all for him, because we needed to get him match fit. Within a couple of weeks, with his attitude and the way he trains, I knew he would be really important for us. He’s shown everybody.
“He’s also been fasting during Ramadan. That is a tough time for him, in terms of when he eats and when he drinks. But I think it’s been inspirational, the way he’s stuck to his faith. Not only has he done that, but he’s also come out as Player of the Month. He’s been not only a good signing for the club but for the league.”
We had a real laugh about it. And I don’t think you’ll ever see that again in football