Hibs facing final throw of the dice for top six and Nick Montgomery could soon be in last chance saloon - Tam McManus

Hibs are looking at a last throw of the dice for a top half finish on Saturday. And if they don’t beat Dundee then Nick Montgomery might well be nearing last chance saloon in his time in charge in Leith.

It’s an indictment in itself to say after just 26 games a top half finish would be beyond the Easter Road club. But apathy in the stands amid a season where inconsistency has been the only consistent just about sums it all up. Hibs are currently seven points worse off than the same stage last season and that was a campaign that hardly set the heather on fire either. So this weekend is massive. It’s a top six six-pointer against a Dee side that are currently five points clear in that all-important sixth spot.

If Hibs fail to win for a ninth successive league game then they’d have to go into a derby at Tynecastle a week tonight with Hearts flying and looking to drive the final nail into the top six coffin.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Montgomery’s job would be under review if he misses out on the top six. The Scottish Cup would then become huge. He came in after three games, that’s basically a full season to this point, and he’s had a transfer window with seven signings. I fully understand that he has to be given an opportunity after a succession of sackings.

But he has been well backed in the transfer window and the least fans can expect is to get into the top six. Would he then be given a whole lot more money again in the summer window? Remember this is a Hibs team that’s not won a league game since December 9 against Livingston - nine games and well over two months ago.

Three points from the last 24 is not great form to state the bleeding obvious. That’s another reason why Dundee is a must-win. But it’s far from a