Hibs review has only put more pressure on Montgomery – Allan

Scott Allan insists a statement released by Hibernian has piled more pressure on Nick Montgomery and reckons the under-fire boss must win at least three more games to save his job.

Former Hibs favourite Allan is alarmed by the run of form that saw the Leith side lose out to Dundee for the final spot in the top six.

Failure to finish in the upper half of the Premiership led to Hibs announcing that a review would be undertaken of the entire football department, while warning that results needed to improve.

Hibs kick off their post-split fixtures at St Johnstone on Saturday and Allan believes Montgomery needs to beat Aberdeen and Motherwell in home games and collect a win on the road to avoid the axe.

Allan, who is currently with Northern Irish side Larne, said: “The home games are key, and maybe picking up a win away from home.

“To win all the games is a tough ask. Home wins and one away win would maybe be enough to say: ‘Look, we get to the summer and see what the problem has been this season.’ Because there have to be changes, especially on the park.

“In terms of the statement, probably even more pressure has been put on Nick Montgomery and his coaching staff now. As a player, you are aware they’ve come out and made that statement. It’s an added pressure.

“We’re not behind the scenes. Nick Montgomery will probably have chats with a big board now, given the guys involved.

“But those bottom-six games are not easy. Especially when you’re not playing at your best.”

New Hibs investor and minority shareholder Bill Foley’s influence is also likely to have a bearing on Montgomery’s future.

The American billionaire, who also owns Bournemouth in a growing football empire, has been candid in his willingness to make millions of pounds available to strengthen the squad and boost their European ambitions.

But Allan, who played for Hibs in three separate spells between 2014 and 2022, insists opening the chequebook is not always the answer.

He added: “The obvious thing is you can’t keep changing the manager.

“We talk about investment, investment, investment. So with investment, everyone thinks money. If something isn’t going well, can we throw money at it? That’s the sort of thinking people are now associating with Hibs.

“I go back to the players. We’re now talking about a clearout again in the summer. This seems to be every summer, every transfer window, now for Hibs. The turnover of players, you’re never going to get success with a team if you have constant turnover.”

Nick Montgomery failed to get Hibs into the top six.