Jair Tavares refused to play Hibs victim as Nick Montgomery echoes Jose Mourinho's sentiments

Nick Montgomery has spoken of his pride in Jair Tavares for refusing to play the victim card after being frozen out at Hibs.

And the Easter Road boss insists the Portuguese winger is a shining example for any player who might think their career is over at a club - that it doesn't always have to be that way. Tavares this week opened his heart of the “mental devastation” he suffered after being given the cold shoulder by Lee Johnson last season.

The 22-year-old only started two games after signing from Benfica and ended the campaign training with the development team before being told to find a new club in the summer. But Montgomery handed Tavares a fresh start after taking over in September and has rewarded the pacey wide man with nine appearances in his 11 games in charge. Montgomery said: “There is no doubt Jair had a tough time.

“But the first thing I said to him was that you have to forget about the past. You can’t have a victim mentality because, if you do, it can be hard to move on and recover.

“I’m really, really proud of Jair. And I’m happy for the team because the boys supported him through a tough period.

“Everyone can see the ability he has. And he’s a real team player, a hard worker who has been outstanding in the run of games he’s had since we got here.

“His is great story for any player, young or old, thinking that their career is finished at a club. Because suddenly there is a change of manager and you get an opportunity to impress. Being a footballer is mentally hard at times. Everyone wants to play every week.

“But most weeks there are a lot of players – especially in some of the bigger clubs down south, who might have a squad of 40 – who just can’t play.”

Montgomery reckons Jose Mourinho was bang on when