Nick Montgomery is new Hibs manager favourite as Neil Lennon leapfrogged by Central Coast Mariners boss

Central Coast Mariners manager Nick Montgomery has shot to the top of the betting to become the next Hibs manager.

Record Sport revealed earlier this week that the A-League title-winning boss was under serious consideration for the vacant Easter Road role. Montgomery is now the favourite and shot ahead of former manager Neil Lennon. He has gone from 20-1 to evens with some bookmakers as Hibs ramp up their search for a replacement for Lee Johnson, who was sacked at the weekend.

Former Scotland under-21 cap Montgomery has worked wonders with one of the smallest budgets in the Australian top-flight. Montgomery has also moved a string of players from the Mariners to the Scottish Premiership, in Aberdeen’s James McGarry, Kye Rowles at Hearts, Dundee United’s Mark Birighitti and Hibs defender Lewis Miller. He has also sold the likes of Garang Kuol to Newcastle United and Sammy Silvera to Middlesbrough. Going the other way, he also rejuvenated the career of Jason Cummings after his release from Dundee. Montgomery transformed him into an Australian World Cup player and helped him win his big-money move to India

There is no shortage of interest in the Hibs job. Former boss Lennon led Hibs back to the top-flight and into Europe and has admitted he would be keen to talk to them again. It has also been claimed that Australian national coach Graham Arnold has also been sounded out about the vacant position. St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has also worked wonders and is under serious consideration.

Club legend David Gray has been placed in temporary charge. He'll be in the dugout for tonight's Europa Conference League playoff round second leg against Aston Villa and Sunday's trip to Pittodrie.