Nick Montgomery receives Hibs promise as new boss guaranteed 'hands aren't tied' to turbo charge new era

Hibs supremo Ben Kensell insists Nick Montgomery will be backed but moved to talk up the strength of the current squad.

The former Scotland youth international is the Easter Road side's fourth permanent manager in two years with Shaun Maloney and Lee Johnson failing to make a telling impact after Jack Ross was axed before the League Cup Final in 2021. But Kensell reckons the due diligence which led them to the former Central Coast Mariners boss should reap rewards and the 41-year-old will be backed to make his Leith regeneration project go off without a hitch. And while funds will be made available to Montgomery in January, the Hibs chief is a believer in the current players at the new man's disposal.

Kensell, speaking at the introductory press conference, said: "No, hands aren't tied. I think we have had a really good couple of windows now, we've backed the managers that we have had. I think, even Nick, has said this is a good squad he is inheriting. What we need to do now is get the best out of that squad.

"We have got to give it an identity of play they feel comfortable with and that we can achieve our objectives for the season. The great thing about the process is we have had time to really bed in exactly what the club wants. And Nick has had time to share what he wants to get out of the playing style. We have got a good squad, we feel we can achieve our objectives with that squad. But, of course there will be support, there always has been for every manager."

And the new man at the helm was keen to stress buzzwords aren't for him, however, he was keen to share the core principles he demands from his players in the pursuit of success.

Montgomery said: "They can expect a team which gives 100 per cent, number one,