Interview with Jair

[Northernhibee]

https://youtu.be/zWAvJIIxLTY?si=PM3rOB454Z1smd75

A really impressive person. Not good to hear how badly he’d taken being in the development squad, but the way he’s dealt with what he’s had is thoroughly impressive.

Our new manager and his team are worlds apart from the utter fraud we had before.

[JohnM1875]

Aye, good interview that. Seems a good lad with his head screwed on.

Pleased he's improving game on game.

[Manxhibs]

I really enjoyed that one, you can visibly see how the last 12 months affected him. However, he appears to have a great attitude and I can’t wait to see how good he can get.

[HendoDelivered]

Superb interview! Cant wait to see how good he can become. Mon the Jair 💚

[worcesterhibby]

Thanks for the link. He comes across as a fine young man who struggled with the Scottish game to begin with and didn't get the support he needed from our previous management team. I can forgive LJ for his waffle, I can forgive him for not getting tactics and formations right, but I can't forgive him for letting down a young man, trying to do his best a long way from home in a green shirt.

Our motto, the Leith motto, is Persevere, we should be rightly proud of young Jair that through difficult times he has lived up to the badge. He's had some stick from some of us..let's get right behind him and show him that he is very much part of the Hibs family.

[Hibbyradge]

That was a very open and honest interview. I thought he was going to cry when he talked about his goal. I nearly did myself!

I've no idea how good a player he can eventually be, but after the battering his confidence and self esteem took, if NM can get him to fulfill his potential, whatever that may be, it'll be a remarkable achievement.

[Bostonhibby]

Thanks for the link. He comes across as a fine young man who struggled with the Scottish game to begin with and didn't get the support he needed from our previous management team. I can forgive LJ for his waffle, I can forgive him for not getting tactics and formations right, but I can't forgive him for letting down a young man, trying to do his best a long way from home in a green shirt.

Our motto, the Leith motto, is Persevere, we should be rightly proud of young Jair that through difficult times he has lived up to the badge. He's had some stick from some of us..let's get right behind him and show him that he is very much part of the Hibs family.[emoji106]says it all for me, I wasn't his biggest fan but did feel all might not be right behind the scenes. I've seen him play live twice now and am happy to say I like what I am now seeing.

Thoroughly enjoyed the interview.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[B.H.F.C]

He’s going to go on to have a good season, can just feel it. With the turnaround it just feels like one of those things that is meant to be now.

Been a bit unlucky in the last few games. Could easily have had a goal in the semi final, should have had a couple of assists at St Mirren when he put the ball right across the six yard box, and unlucky not to score against Kilmarnock. If he keeps doing the things he’s done in those games the goals and assists will come.

[DaveF]

Great stuff. I had totally written him off but full credit to him for getting through a really tough time and I really hope he kicks on.

[Unseen work]

Really interesting the club felt it was appropriate to put an interview like this out there.

He’s done really well lately though, hopefully he keeps improving and starts getting goals/assists regularly

I actually still feel for him as 9/10 when he skins someone and could get a goal/assist he gets his jersey pulled off his back!

Well done Jair, keep it going!

[Broken Gnome]

Doesn't seem like the sort of guy who could ever be unpopular.

Would've been so easy to chuck it, overlooked and unhappy at what it essentially a random club thousands of miles from home. If nothing else, chuffed he's got a smile on his face again.

[SlickShoes]

Really resonates what he’s saying about the language, having lived in a non English speaking country, if I hear someone speaking English with a Scottish accent my ears perk up and you get this feeling of home that can’t really be properly described.

Hope he has a good season, hope that the interview helps some view him as the human being he is, not something just to be discarded.

[RoYO!]

Thanks for the link. He comes across as a fine young man who struggled with the Scottish game to begin with and didn't get the support he needed from our previous management team. I can forgive LJ for his waffle, I can forgive him for not getting tactics and formations right, but I can't forgive him for letting down a young man, trying to do his best a long way from home in a green shirt.

Our motto, the Leith motto, is Persevere, we should be rightly proud of young Jair that through difficult times he has lived up to the badge. He's had some stick from some of us..let's get right behind him and show him that he is very much part of the Hibs family.

Excellent words

[A Hi-Bee]

He should do well now that he is free from the slaver. Bag o tricks well worth the entrance money at Hibs.
:thumbsup:

[jeffers]

I’d written him off too, credit to Monty and his coaching staff for giving him that fresh start and credit to the player for seizing the chance. Seems like a really nice guy too. Hopefully he’ll get better and better and become a real fan’s favourite.

[tonyrougier123]

It’s great to see jair get his chance finally,any player who comes to hibs should be given time to adjust but how Lee Johnson treated this guy was brutal. I do believe his time in development will stand him in good steed going forward despite how he felt during that period. He looks more tenacious and game savvy now. Also must add he seems a really nice lad.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Would appear yet more evidence of the ineptitude and mismanagement of LJ and his management team.

BTW the way such of Jair appears to have been treated would appear to leave a lot to be desired. I’d like Hibs to shine a light on the focus the club has on welcoming players from overseas into the Hibernian family. what if anything needs to be learned to improve from a pastoral and management/coaching perspective. If we can’t support them properly and that’s a trend it needs fixed esp if we seek to tap in to foreign markets. Or just don’t even go there if we can’t do what’s required.

[JimBHibees]

Thanks for the link. He comes across as a fine young man who struggled with the Scottish game to begin with and didn't get the support he needed from our previous management team. I can forgive LJ for his waffle, I can forgive him for not getting tactics and formations right, but I can't forgive him for letting down a young man, trying to do his best a long way from home in a green shirt.

Our motto, the Leith motto, is Persevere, we should be rightly proud of young Jair that through difficult times he has lived up to the badge. He's had some stick from some of us..let's get right behind him and show him that he is very much part of the Hibs family.

Great words. Well done Jair you should be very proud of your turnaround in form.

[JammyDoidger]

TAVARES...JAIR!
Running down the wing JAIR!
Hear the hibees sing JAIR!
Our bonnie boy from Portugal
TAVARES...

[EdinMike]

Persevere lad. Persevere…

[J-C]

Just looks like another case of a young foreign player struggling to settle in another country, skills were never in doubt but many questioned whether he had it in him to succeed here, I think he's beginning to answer that question, I for one am happy to see this lad prove why we brought him here.

[KeithTheHibby]

Incredible turnaround for him. I’m not quite convinced he’s worth a start every week however he is very close to it.
Exceptional talent who, if up to LJ, would probably have been away during the summer.

[Mcbizz1998]

Incredible turnaround for him. I’m not quite convinced he’s worth a start every week however he is very close to it.
Exceptional talent who, if up to LJ, would probably have been away during the summer.

True regarding LJ but to be fair to him, he signed Jair. I have bored this forum with this before but a mate of mine met LJ very early on in his Hibs tenure in an Edinburgh bar - He was waxing lyrical about Jair and what a prospect he was. For whatever reason he couldn't get a tune out of him but LJ certainly spotted the lads talent, thankfully Monty is bringing it out of him.

[HIBERNIAN-0762]

Could be our new Latapy 🤔👍💚

[Alex Trager]

I’m glad he’s feeling happy and is performing better. I was delighted he scored the goal, and hopeful he’ll get more.

I think the reaction to his performances are OTT, he’s been better than he was (which is not hard) but he’s hardly setting the heather alight.

That said, it goes to show whatt trusting players and giving them a decent run out can do.

Folk have written off so many of our players, looking at the likes of Kenneh, Wallacot (who’s had a singular game). Players need a decent amount of time to get up to speed and settle, to judge them off a handful of games or less is silly.

I hope Jair keeps progressing.

[Since452]

https://youtu.be/zWAvJIIxLTY?si=PM3rOB454Z1smd75

A really impressive person. Not good to hear how badly he’d taken being in the development squad, but the way he’s dealt with what he’s had is thoroughly impressive.

Our new manager and his team are worlds apart from the utter fraud we had before.

Really? We were a baw hair off 3rd last season and can barely win a game under Montgomery. Worlds apart? We'll be bottom six under this joker.

[Broken Gnome]

Really? We were a baw hair off 3rd last season and can barely win a game under Montgomery. Worlds apart? We'll be bottom six under this joker.

Do you get angry by the very sight of NM at games? If he dared to applaud the section of a stand you were in at Eater Road, would you be able to contain yourself?

[worcesterhibby]

Really? We were a baw hair off 3rd last season and can barely win a game under Montgomery. Worlds apart? We'll be bottom six under this joker.

Time will tell, but I think you'll be proved wrong. I agree that the results on the pitch are far from being "worlds apart" currently but I think man management wise, Monty and his team are on a different level to LJ. I think that will end up making a big difference in the long term. Far too many people are too quick to write players and managers off, we need to give people time. Calling Monty a "joker" is pretty poor in my opinion. It's nice to see you'll still pop in here though Lee :greengrin

[B.H.F.C]

Really? We were a baw hair off 3rd last season and can barely win a game under Montgomery. Worlds apart? We'll be bottom six under this joker.

You don’t half talk some nonsense about this manager. His points per game in the league so far is near identical to what Johnson achieved last year, and better if you count the three games at the start of the season. And he’ll improve it over the remainder of the season.

Joker FFS.

[J-C]

Really? We were a baw hair off 3rd last season and can barely win a game under Montgomery. Worlds apart? We'll be bottom six under this joker.

Boo hoo, they sacked my beloved Lee and I'll never forgive them for that, jeez man grow the **** up.

[flash]

Really? We were a baw hair off 3rd last season and can barely win a game under Montgomery. Worlds apart? We'll be bottom six under this joker.

Literally raging that the new manager has turned a young player's career around.

[CapitalGreen]

Comparing the record of Johnson from the first half of last season with Montgomery.

27423

[Allant1981]

Literally raging that the new manager has turned a young player's career around.

This poster has been at it for weeks now, clearly looking for a reaction from folk now

[Allant1981]

Im not a huge tavares fan, don't think he offered enough until recently but he will always get my backing on the park and he certainly looks like he is turning things around, will be interesting to see how his career with us goes.

[CapitalGreen]

Jair was the best player on the pitch away to St Mirren IMO

[Heisenberg]

You don’t half talk some nonsense about this manager. His points per game in the league so far is near identical to what Johnson achieved last year, and better if you count the three games at the start of the season. And he’ll improve it over the remainder of the season.

Joker FFS.

Think Montgomery’s PPG in the league might be slightly better even just using last season. Either way, it’s too early to say he’s worlds apart but it’s also too early to be branding him a joker. Expect nothing less from the poster in question though. Raging his wee favourite got rightly binned.

What can’t be denied is that he’s improved the performances of a few individuals in the squad, Jair obviously the main one. Excited to see what he can do with some of the others that LJ cast aside.

[B.H.F.C]

Think Montgomery’s PPG in the league might be slightly better. Either way, it’s too early to say he’s worlds apart but it’s also too early to be branding him a joker. Expect nothing less from the poster in question though. Raging his wee favourite got rightly binned.

What can’t be denied is that he’s improved the performances of a few individuals in the squad, Jair obviously the main one. Excited to see what he can do with some of the others that LJ cast aside.

Agree it’s too early to say that anything is worlds apart results wise. I get the feeling it’s a much happier place since the change though. For whatever reason, I’m hopeful things will further improve over the course of the season.

[Caversham Green]

Really? We were a baw hair off 3rd last season and can barely win a game under Montgomery. Worlds apart? We'll be bottom six under this joker.

Where were we in the league this season when LJ departed?

[A Hi-Bee]

Going to live and work in a foreign country particularly one that don’t speak your language can be very tough. Throw in a boss who turns out to be something less than you perhaps thought would. Could turn this scenario into a bit of a nightmare.
A sportsman even more so, Jair will do us well, he has so much talent it just needs to be harnessed and put to good use in the squad. As for the last manager, well the less said the better.
:flag::flag::flag:

[Unseen work]

Comparing the record of Johnson from the first half of last season with Montgomery.

27423

That can’t be right?

Our opening 11 league games under Johnson were

St Johnston - 1-0 win
Hearts 1-1 draw
Livingston 2-1 defeat
Rangers 2-2 draw
St Mirren 1-0 defeat
Kilmarnock 1-0 win
Aberdeen 3-1 win
Ross County 2-0 win
Motherwell 1-0 win
United 1-0 defeat
Celtic 6-1 defeat

5 wins
4 defeats
2 draws

17 points.

Unless I’m missing something?

Edit: I’am missing something, just noticed you’re comparing direct results I.e the home/away v certain teams spread out over a period of time to match what Monty has played.

[A Hi-Bee]

That can’t be right?

Our opening 11 league games under Johnson were

St Johnston - 1-0 win
Hearts 1-1 draw
Livingston 2-1 defeat
Rangers 2-2 draw
St Mirren 1-0 defeat
Kilmarnock 1-0 win
Aberdeen 3-1 win
Ross County 2-0 win
Motherwell 1-0 win
United 1-0 defeat
Celtic 6-1 defeat

5 wins
4 defeats
2 draws

17 points.

Unless I’m missing something?

Edit: I’am missing something, just noticed you’re comparing direct results I.e the home/away v certain teams spread out over a period of time to match what Monty has played.

Which of these games did Jair play in? or am I missing something.
:thumbsup:

[CapitalGreen]

That can’t be right?

Our opening 11 league games under Johnson was

St Johnston - 1-0 win
Hearts 1-1 draw
Livingston 2-1 defeat
Rangers 2-2 draw
St Mirren 1-0 defeat
Kilmarnock 1-0 win
Aberdeen 3-1 win
Ross County 2-0 win
Motherwell 1-0 win
United 1-0 defeat
Celtic 6-1 defeat

5 wins
4 defeats
2 draws

17 points.

Unless I’m missing something?

Look at the first column in my table, I am comparing like-for-like fixtures.

[Vault Boy]

Really enjoyed Jair’s interview, you can tell how much he needed this resurgence, it clearly means a lot to him mentally. Delighted for both the player and the club that he’s being managed so much better these days. One of our top performers in recent weeks.

[Pretty Boy]

I'm quite desperate to see Jair do well largely because he had been written off to such an extent, including by me. It would be a great wee story if he was to turn it around and he's on the road to doing that.

The man management of him by LJ was bordering on farcical. The OTT hype when he signed, Johnson mentioning how many teams we beat to get him and in typical LJ fashion taking a big chunk of the credit for that, giving him the number 10 shirt and all the pressure that comes with that, dropping him after a handful of games, leaving him out of squads altogether and then totally ostracising him. It was one extreme to the other.

You can see how badly impacted he was by it all and you can see what it means to him to have a manager who is taking an interest in him, how much the goal meant to him and how much he wants to please the fans.

[Vault Boy]

I'm quite desperate to see Jair do well largely because he had been written off to such an extent, including by me. It would be a great wee story if he was to turn it around and he's on the road to doing that.

The man management of him by LJ was bordering on farcical. The OTT hype when he signed, Johnson mentioning how many teams we beat to get him and in typical LJ fashion taking a big chunk of the credit for that, giving him the number 10 shirt and all the pressure that comes with that, dropping him after a handful of games, leaving him out of squads altogether and then totally ostracising him. It was one extreme to the other.

You can see how badly impacted he was by it all and you can see what it means to him to have a manager who is taking an interest in him, how much the goal meant to him and how much he wants to please the fans.

Splitting senior players off into separate training sessions because he didn’t fancy them/wanted to sell them was such a classic man management blunder that I couldn’t quite believe it hadn't come up in one of his Management for Dummies textbooks. JDH, Jair, and whoever else training at different times to the ‘first team’, just weird.

Nick and his staff have come in with a fair minded, common sense approach of giving everybody equal opportunity to impress and perform. It’s certainly no coincidence we’ve see more from Jair in the last couple of months than in his entire career with us to date. Like you, I didn’t expect his resurgence but am delighted by it.

I’m sure Sergio plays a big role in that, as alluded to in the interview.

[Northernhibee]

Really? We were a baw hair off 3rd last season and can barely win a game under Montgomery. Worlds apart? We'll be bottom six under this joker.

Yeah. Aberdeen and Hearts had such awful spells in their seasons that they both sacked their managers and we still couldn’t beat them come the end of the season. We couldn’t even beat Falkirk or Morton in the cup. We went on ludicrous losing streaks. We had a player like Jair waiting to make a difference and punted him into the reserves. We spoke about lions and all sorts of bollocks.

Monty has so much to fix and signs are that he’s chipping away to make it happen.

[WeeRussell]

Our new manager and his team are worlds apart from the utter fraud we had before.

You just knew this sitter wouldn’t get passed-up, didn’t you 😁

[Northernhibee]

You just new this sitter wouldn’t get passed-up, didn’t you 😁

It's genuinely not an attempt to bait, it's a nice feeling to look at our management squad and get the feeling that they know how to look after the squad. Results may be debatable so far, but I have faith that they will improve and that we are moving in the correct direction.

[WeeRussell]

It's genuinely not an attempt to bait, it's a nice feeling to look at our management squad and get the feeling that they know how to look after the squad. Results may be debatable so far, but I have faith that they will improve and that we are moving in the correct direction.

Oh I know, and I’m in agreement 👍… but the royal you still knew it wouldn’t go quietly, right!

[Torto7]

Would appear yet more evidence of the ineptitude and mismanagement of LJ and his management team.

BTW the way such of Jair appears to have been treated would appear to leave a lot to be desired. I’d like Hibs to shine a light on the focus the club has on welcoming players from overseas into the Hibernian family. what if anything needs to be learned to improve from a pastoral and management/coaching perspective. If we can’t support them properly and that’s a trend it needs fixed esp if we seek to tap in to foreign markets. Or just don’t even go there if we can’t do what’s required.

They should have a player liaison person already at the club.

[JimBHibees]

They should have a player liaison person already at the club.

Would be surprised if we didn't. Would seem an important and obvious role to support players exactly like Jair. You would also like to think the players would be supporting him also.

[Bridge hibs]

Would be surprised if we didn't. Would seem an important and obvious role to support players exactly like Jair. You would also like to think the players would be supporting him also.

I thought Tracey Smith moved into the player liaison role after resigning as fans rep, although I could be wrong

[Iain G]

Would be surprised if we didn't. Would seem an important and obvious role to support players exactly like Jair. You would also like to think the players would be supporting him also.

Interview with Youan in the EEN says he is good friends with Jair and suggests he was supportive of him.

[TrinityHFC]

Interview with Youan in the EEN says he is good friends with Jair and suggests he was supportive of him.

There’s a bit of getting carried away going on here.

He’s a player who fell out of favour with a manager who’s now been getting a chance with a new manager. Happens all the time and it will happen to players under this coaching team too once they get more players in and figure out who they need.

I’m sure it is difficult for players in that situation but he’s also said himself he wasn’t sharp enough to play here before.

No suggestion he’s been mistreated in any way.

[Rumble de Thump]

There’s a bit of getting carried away going on here.

He’s a player who fell out of favour with a manager who’s now been getting a chance with a new manager. Happens all the time and it will happen to players under this coaching team too once they get more players in and figure out who they need.

I’m sure it is difficult for players in that situation but he’s also said himself he wasn’t sharp enough to play here before.

No suggestion he’s been mistreated in any way.

If he was excluded from training camps because he was being disciplined for something then that would make sense. But he wasn't. Johnson's treatment of him was bizarre.

[Brightside]

I thought Tracey Smith moved into the player liaison role after resigning as fans rep, although I could be wrong

She does that privately. The club removed her. Very poor.

[Pretty Boy]

I thought Tracey Smith moved into the player liaison role after resigning as fans rep, although I could be wrong

TS left Hibs a while back.

She runs her own business offering player care and support now.

[Iain G]

There’s a bit of getting carried away going on here.

He’s a player who fell out of favour with a manager who’s now been getting a chance with a new manager. Happens all the time and it will happen to players under this coaching team too once they get more players in and figure out who they need.

I’m sure it is difficult for players in that situation but he’s also said himself he wasn’t sharp enough to play here before.

No suggestion he’s been mistreated in any way.

Have you watched the interview with him? No suggesting that anyone mistreated him but for the management to let it get to a place where he was clearly mentally struggling reflects badly on them and Hibs.

Falling out of favour is one thing, this was clearly more than that. Am glad our new management team seem to be more aware of players emotional health.

[TrinityHFC]

If he was excluded from training camps because he was being disciplined for something then that would make sense. But he wasn't. Johnson's treatment of him was bizarre.

He wasn’t included because he was no longer in the first team plans.

Nothing wrong with focusing training on the players that are going to play.

I’m glad he’s back involved but I don’t see anything unusual or worrying about players dropping right out of the plans of a manager.

[TrinityHFC]

Have you watched the interview with him? No suggesting that anyone mistreated him but for the management to let it get to a place where he was clearly mentally struggling reflects badly on them and Hibs.

Falling out of favour is one thing, this was clearly more than that. Am glad our new management team seem to be more aware of players emotional health.

I think most players that don’t play will say they struggle. Yes he moved away from home but that’s the life of a professional athlete. I’m glad he’s feeling better about himself and his game but I just don’t think we need to be overly dramatic about him getting some sort of poor treatment.

[Rumble de Thump]

He wasn’t included because he was no longer in the first team plans.

Nothing wrong with focusing training on the players that are going to play.

I’m glad he’s back involved but I don’t see anything unusual or worrying about players dropping right out of the plans of a manager.


There is a problem with signing young players with the intention of developing them into better players then choosing to make an absolute mess of their development.

[TrinityHFC]

There is a problem with signing young players with the intention of developing them into better players then choosing to make an absolute mess of their development.

Don’t think we will be the only club to have signed a player that it didn’t work out for. So far he’s got back in which is brilliant but we will sign players again from home and abroad that don’t work. Tait, Mackay, similar story.

Think the coaching staff also said about him that he really should have had the opportunity to learn from McGeady but that didn’t work. We have a development team. He played for them when he was out of the first team plans. He’s now back in the first team.

[Rumble de Thump]

Don’t think we will be the only club to have signed a player that it didn’t work out for. So far he’s got back in which is brilliant but we will sign players again from home and abroad that don’t work. Tait, Mackay, similar story.

Think the coaching staff also said about him that he really should have had the opportunity to learn from McGeady but that didn’t work. We have a development team. He played for them when he was out of the first team plans. He’s now back in the first team.

Not many teams will pay for a player then actively sabotage the player's development. It's worked out for him now because the coach who did that has gone.

[The Modfather]

He wasn’t included because he was no longer in the first team plans.

Nothing wrong with focusing training on the players that are going to play.

I’m glad he’s back involved but I don’t see anything unusual or worrying about players dropping right out of the plans of a manager.

He didn’t just drop out of the managers plans though. He seemed to be banished to the b-team/youth teams in a way that players making the same non contribution, like McKirdy, weren’t.

It doesn’t reflect well on Johnson, despite being happy to take the credit for it being a coup to sign Tavares in the first place, that Montgomery has managed to rehabilitate Tavares to the point he is in the team on merit in only 10 weeks or so than Johnson could get out of him in his whole time here.

Same with the youngsters. Johnson made a big deal about looking to bring them through, clearing the squad in January to do so etc. Then gave O’Connor & Macintyre something like 13 minutes in total before they too disappeared from the squads, never to be seen again. While Montgomery has already given Whittaker more minutes in his first few weeks than Johnson gave all of our youngsters in his whole time here.

[TrinityHFC]

Not many teams will pay for a player then actively sabotage the player's development. It's worked out for him now because the coach who did that has gone.

Over dramatic nonsense.

He fell out the plans and into the development team. It happens. We also played a different way that suited different players.

By the way, 99.9% of fans were in the get rid category. Nice that he’s back in but let’s not be daft about it.

[Jones28]

Don’t think we will be the only club to have signed a player that it didn’t work out for. So far he’s got back in which is brilliant but we will sign players again from home and abroad that don’t work. Tait, Mackay, similar story.

Think the coaching staff also said about him that he really should have had the opportunity to learn from McGeady but that didn’t work. We have a development team. He played for them when he was out of the first team plans. He’s now back in the first team.

Personally I think he was treated really poorly. There’s a middle ground between what you’re saying and the general views that Johnson was a **** man manager and treated Jair appallingly.

I don’t think it was a case of “just not working out”, I think it was Johnson putting too much pressure and hyping him too much, then trying to lay the blame at his door by bombing him out the squad.

The fact that they couldn’t unlock what Montgomery has in such a short space of time is telling as well.

[TrinityHFC]

Personally I think he was treated really poorly. There’s a middle ground between what you’re saying and the general views that Johnson was a **** man manager and treated Jair appallingly.

I don’t think it was a case of “just not working out”, I think it was Johnson putting too much pressure and hyping him too much, then trying to lay the blame at his door by bombing him out the squad.

The fact that they couldn’t unlock what Montgomery has in such a short space of time is telling as well.

For context though we are also at a point where we have Youan struggling for form and Campbell playing up front. Boyle, Vente, Newell also not totally firing. Great for Jair to be back in amongst it. Remains to be seen if overall the management of players and opportunities we are giving now are going to have us in a better place. Coaching teams all need to make decisions based on how they want the team to play.

[Keepthefaith]

Over dramatic nonsense.

He fell out the plans and into the development team. It happens. We also played a different way that suited different players.

By the way, 99.9% of fans were in the get rid category. Nice that he’s back in but let’s not be daft about it.

speak for yourself - I disagree that 99.9% of fans wanted rid - some of us could see that the lad had potential and didn't come on social media to slate him or criticise his every touch at the game. it would now appear that he didn't fall out of the plans and into the development team, it seems more like he was unfairly treated by an experienced manager who should have known better.

there is a bigger issue here for me too - its nice that folk come on and own up that they wrote him off too soon, but will they learn from that and think first before over the top criticising of the next scapegoat? its clear that players are aware of what fans are saying about them - it would be nice if we could all be a bit more adult and more balanced in our views of players, particularly those that we know might find it hard to adapt due to age / language etc.

[Jones28]

❤️ scores.

[Vault Boy]

Some boy.

[TrinityHFC]

Excellent. Pleased for him and long may it continue!

[Tambo]

Going on form he is one of the first names on the team sheet.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Going on form he is one of the first names on the team sheet.

Absolutely. Potentially even the very first.

[JimBHibees]

Well done Jair

[SteveHFC]

Outstanding. 👏🏻

[Unseen work]

Ian Gordon is a genuis.

Bring back Bojang! God knows what he can do under Monty with some confidence.

[Hibs4185]

Maybe we should give Bojang another shot?? Kidding

[cameronw-hfc]

He didn’t just drop out of the managers plans though. He seemed to be banished to the b-team/youth teams in a way that players making the same non contribution, like McKirdy, weren’t.

It doesn’t reflect well on Johnson, despite being happy to take the credit for it being a coup to sign Tavares in the first place, that Montgomery has managed to rehabilitate Tavares to the point he is in the team on merit in only 10 weeks or so than Johnson could get out of him in his whole time here.

Same with the youngsters. Johnson made a big deal about looking to bring them through, clearing the squad in January to do so etc. Then gave O’Connor & Macintyre something like 13 minutes in total before they too disappeared from the squads, never to be seen again. While Montgomery has already given Whittaker more minutes in his first few weeks than Johnson gave all of our youngsters in his whole time here.


There were quite a few rumours about LJ and his treatment of certain players signed last season. Ranging from being cold to flat out bullying.

Not saying he was treated as bad as the rumours say, but there were more than enough to suggest something wasn't right. The one I kept hearing was how a few senior pros were not happy in the slightest at his treatment of Jair and Mckirdy in specific. Few others supposedly two but that's the names that kept popping up. Heard about it late December for the first time and seemed to get told about it from someone new every few weeks from then on.

I'm not saying they're all true, but to just dismiss it as someone not in his plans when there definitely seems like there could be a little more to the story.

He was outstanding today, and has been getting better and better every week. 1v1 he's outstanding and has a decent end product too.

[Hibs90]

Really? We were a baw hair off 3rd last season and can barely win a game under Montgomery. Worlds apart? We'll be bottom six under this joker.

This will age well come the end of the season. 2 wins on the bounce now.

You ok?

[Northernhibee]

Faded a little by the end, but what a shift he put in and what a goal.

[Hibs90]

All credit to Monty and Jair for the resurgence. Mentality is absolutely spot on now and he's now imposing himself on games and will only improve.

:aok:

[Paul1642]

There were quite a few rumours about LJ and his treatment of certain players signed last season. Ranging from being cold to flat out bullying.

Not saying he was treated as bad as the rumours say, but there were more than enough to suggest something wasn't right. The one I kept hearing was how a few senior pros were not happy in the slightest at his treatment of Jair and Mckirdy in specific. Few others supposedly two but that's the names that kept popping up. Heard about it late December for the first time and seemed to get told about it from someone new every few weeks from then on.

I'm not saying they're all true, but to just dismiss it as someone not in his plans when there definitely seems like there could be a little more to the story.

He was outstanding today, and has been getting better and better every week. 1v1 he's outstanding and has a decent end product too.

I had acutely forgotten all about Mckirdy. Any talk on when he’s due back? Will be good to see what he has to offer under the new manager.

[A Hi-Bee]

A few red faces now with the way this boy is turning out, he looks like he can play a bit.
:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[cameronw-hfc]

I had acutely forgotten all about Mckirdy. Any talk on when he’s due back? Will be good to see what he has to offer under the new manager.


Think Monty said they're aiming for after the new year but not rushing him, he's back in training now. Don't know if he's back in full training or just part of sessions but good to see him back on the training pitch.

Jair and Rocky should be examples that sometimes players can take longer than expected to settle. Harry reminds me of Rocky in the sense that he's not played as many games as someone his age usually would, so he's probably closer to 20/21 in football terms.

Delighted for those two, would be brilliant to get the hat trick and see Harry turn it around as well.

[ekhibee]

speak for yourself - I disagree that 99.9% of fans wanted rid - some of us could see that the lad had potential and didn't come on social media to slate him or criticise his every touch at the game. it would now appear that he didn't fall out of the plans and into the development team, it seems more like he was unfairly treated by an experienced manager who should have known better.

there is a bigger issue here for me too - its nice that folk come on and own up that they wrote him off too soon, but will they learn from that and think first before over the top criticising of the next scapegoat? its clear that players are aware of what fans are saying about them - it would be nice if we could all be a bit more adult and more balanced in our views of players, particularly those that we know might find it hard to adapt due to age / language etc.
This totally, particularly the 2nd paragraph.

[Glory Lurker]

speak for yourself - I disagree that 99.9% of fans wanted rid - some of us could see that the lad had potential and didn't come on social media to slate him or criticise his every touch at the game. it would now appear that he didn't fall out of the plans and into the development team, it seems more like he was unfairly treated by an experienced manager who should have known better.

there is a bigger issue here for me too - its nice that folk come on and own up that they wrote him off too soon, but will they learn from that and think first before over the top criticising of the next scapegoat? its clear that players are aware of what fans are saying about them - it would be nice if we could all be a bit more adult and more balanced in our views of players, particularly those that we know might find it hard to adapt due to age / language etc.

Epic post.

[Glory Lurker]

Could not be happier for the boy. We'll be worrying about keeping him come the end of the season.

[Tambo]

Another confident performance with an outstanding goal which I look forward to seeing again and again.

Thought he worked hard also off the ball and always looked a threat.

[B.H.F.C]

Goal aside, some of his touches and play today were superb.

Unbelievable turnaround.

[Northernhibee]

His reaction at the full time whistle was brilliant. Looks like a laddie who is loving his football.

[EdinMike]

Love this kid 🥹💚

[Vault Boy]

Absolute baller.

[AL-Qaholik]

Very happy to see the laddie proving me wrong.
Long may it continue!

[Garymcl]

A simple plea to all fellow hibbys having an opinion on a player fair enough be this a lesson on giving players a chance we’re supporters after all let’s always try and get behind ALL players who wear our jersey the guy is now showing after giving a chance of regular games what he’s capable of really enjoying his performances and will only get better game by game

[Stairway 2 7]

Absolute incompetence that he was playing with the bairns. He must have trained for dozens of hours with LJ

[Baldy Foghorn]

Transformation off the scale, well done Jair, believing in your own ability:aok:

[WestSideHibby]

What are the words to his song? Couldn’t make them out but he obviously could - loved seeing him dancing to it mid-match!

[Billy Whizz]

Transformation off the scale, well done Jair, believing in your own ability:aok:

Think he’s been involved in around 8 games this season, if this is how he does after that amount of games, interesting to see how he’s performing after 20 games
Well done Monty too

[Baldy Foghorn]

Think he’s been involved in around 8 games this season, if this is how he does after that amount of games, interesting to see how he’s performing after 20 games
Well done Monty too

:aok::thumbsup:

[McD]

He didn’t just drop out of the managers plans though. He seemed to be banished to the b-team/youth teams in a way that players making the same non contribution, like McKirdy, weren’t.

It doesn’t reflect well on Johnson, despite being happy to take the credit for it being a coup to sign Tavares in the first place, that Montgomery has managed to rehabilitate Tavares to the point he is in the team on merit in only 10 weeks or so than Johnson could get out of him in his whole time here.

Same with the youngsters. Johnson made a big deal about looking to bring them through, clearing the squad in January to do so etc. Then gave O’Connor & Macintyre something like 13 minutes in total before they too disappeared from the squads, never to be seen again. While Montgomery has already given Whittaker more minutes in his first few weeks than Johnson gave all of our youngsters in his whole time here.


You just know that there’ll be an interview with Johnson in the near future where he’ll point out how well Jair is doing and claim credit

[Northernhibee]

A simple plea to all fellow hibbys having an opinion on a player fair enough be this a lesson on giving players a chance we’re supporters after all let’s always try and get behind ALL players who wear our jersey the guy is now showing after giving a chance of regular games what he’s capable of really enjoying his performances and will only get better game by game

To be fair, this is a place for people to share opinions about all things Hibs, and we can only make judgments from what we see on the pitch.

From the evidence that we would have seen under Johnson, it would have been fair to think that Jair was a flop. I'll be honest, I thought he was a flop for some time. We can now see that Jair was terribly managed under LJ and that with the right instruction and role, is a very good player. Monty deserves some credit for that, Jair the most for showing the mental strength and character to prove to the world that he's got a lot more than he's had the chance to show.

If other players - Melkersen, Henderson, Kenneh etc. come back in and show us a similar improvement, then that would be superb. We've also seen the likes of Delferriere come back in under Monty and not shown improvement (albeit with limited game time).

When at the football, each and every player should be getting the support of those in the stands. On here, if we all thought every player was great then it'd be a very boring place.

[Hibees1973]

Really pleased for the guy.

Now part of the squad and more importantly contributing in a positive way.

[snedzuk]

I had acutely forgotten all about Mckirdy. Any talk on when he’s due back? Will be good to see what he has to offer under the new manager.

Posted a training photo on his Insta yesterday.

[JimBHibees]

Transformation off the scale, well done Jair, believing in your own ability:aok:

Yep incredible how quickly his performances have turned around just shows you what trust can do. Great to see

[Tambo]

Didn't even make the TOTW.

[Jim44]

Great interview. Top bloke. LJ obviously didn’t break his spirit. I’d love him to build on his great recovery and become a permanent favourite.

[He's here!]

Saturday's goal alone is all the proof needed that we have a player in this lad.

What's really made me sit up and take notice of Monty is how quickly he recognised the potential there and immediately gave him a lot of game time. Fair to say plenty were a bit sceptical but just look what it's done for his confidence. You now feel something can happen when he has the ball.

[jacomo]

Really? We were a baw hair off 3rd last season and can barely win a game under Montgomery. Worlds apart? We'll be bottom six under this joker.


:faf:

I don’t think you know anything about football, in all honesty.

[ancient hibee]

Didn't even make the TOTW.

Depends which one you look at.

[Iain G]

:faf:

I don’t think you know anything about football, in all honesty.

Why doesn't Monty play a 452? 😁

[superfurryhibby]

Saturday's goal alone is all the proof needed that we have a player in this lad.

What's really made me sit up and take notice of Monty is how quickly he recognised the potential there and immediately gave him a lot of game time. Fair to say plenty were a bit sceptical but just look what it's done for his confidence. You now feel something can happen when he has the ball.

Got to agree, NM deserves plenty of credit for bringing Jair back into the picture.

Jair's showing that he can play for Hibs and have an impact. Love his passion and energy for it, he's needing to work on aspects but he's given the team an option we never had.

Youan knows he has competition and needs to show more, be more of a team player, step up his game and get back in the side.

[B.H.F.C]

Got to agree, NM deserves plenty of credit for bringing Jair back into the picture.

Jair's showing that he can play for Hibs and have an impact. Love his passion and energy for it, he's needing to work on aspects but he's given the team an option we never had.

Youan knows he has competition and needs to show more, be more of a team player, step up his game and get back in the side.

We’ve been bad for being too reliant on certain players in the last couple of years. Three games in six days next week so I’m sure there’ll be changes be it up front or out wide. Tavares coming in and contributing, Campbell coming in and contributing, Vente looked better in the last few games again. Good signs when Boyle and Youan have been a bit less involved that we can still cope. The thought of them being off form would have given us all the fear no so long ago.

[s.a.m]

https://twitter.com/HibernianFC/status/1729521839955734689

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAB5bO1XcAEfqrF?format=jpg&name=medium

[Unseen work]

Fish saying in an interview Jair wasn’t getting changed with them and that he hardly saw him until Monty came in.

[snedzuk]

Maybe we should give Bojang another shot?? Kidding

'Your defence is terrified and Bojangs on fire'

[KeithTheHibby]

Fish saying in an interview Jair wasn’t getting changed with them and that he hardly saw him until Monty came in.

The more time goes on the more I get the impression LJ was a total **** of a manager.

[basehibby]

Jair comes across really well in this interview. He wasn't quite ready for the SPL when he first arrived and he acknowledges that. He has really come onto a game now though and it's like a new signing - well done ma son!

[tonyrougier123]

https://twitter.com/HibernianFC/status/1729521839955734689

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAB5bO1XcAEfqrF?format=jpg&name=medium

Bevis mugabi out of contract in the summer. Small fee in January we have our CB situation sorted fast. Him and Rocky if fish goes 🧐.and if fish is here longer happy days.

[basehibby]

Jair comes across really well in this interview. He wasn't quite ready for the SPL when he first arrived and he acknowledges that. I hadn't realised the degree to which he'd been frozen out though. I stuck up for LJ a fair bit on here but as time goes by it seems his man management left a lot to be desired!
Jair has really come onto a game now though and it's like a new signing - well done ma son!

[04Sauzee]

Bevis mugabi out of contract in the summer. Small fee in January we have our CB situation sorted fast. Him and Rocky if fish goes 🧐.and if fish is here longer happy days.

Bevis Mugabi really isn't that good.

[tamig]

Bevis Mugabi really isn't that good.

Cracking first name though.

[Tambo]

https://twitter.com/HibernianFC/status/1729521839955734689

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAB5bO1XcAEfqrF?format=jpg&name=medium


It was the sky TOTW that I mentioned he never made, this one has more credibility.