Nick Montgomery rejects Hibs 'soft and too easy' flak as boss names three key traits incoming defender must show

Nick Montgomery has shot down accusations Hibs were like sitting ducks in the midweek defeat to Rangers. And the Easter Road boss insists no criticism will change his style when it comes to attacking being the best form of defence.

Hibs came in for heavy flak after Philippe Clement’s side eased to a 3-0 victory in Leith that leaves Montgomery’s side 14 points adrift of rivals Hearts in third. Record Sport columnist and former Hibs striker Tam McManus claimed they were the easiest top flight side to play against he has ever seen and branded Wednesday's performance as "soft".

But Montgomery, who is hoping to complete a deal for Bournemouth duo Nathan Moriah-Welsh and Owen Bevan before the window closes on Thursday, is having none of it. Hibs will again be without international trio Martin Boyle, Lewis Miller and Rocky Bushiri as well as the injured Josh Campbell, Chris Cadden, Jake Doyle-Hayes and Adam Le Fondre for the trip to face Kilmarnock this afternoon.

And Montgomery said: “We’re really stretched at the minute in terms of what we have available - but I don’t think we’re too easy to play against. We went through a period where we had a lot of clean sheets and good results, and if you look at the team then compared to now it’s very different with so many players out.

“I can only be brave and play some of the young players right now, it’s a great opportunity for them and they’ll grow from it. Yeah, of course we want to be harder to play against but sometimes that’s putting your opportunities away at the other and punishing teams when you’re on top.

“We don’t want to concede goals, especially soft goals, so we’re working on it all the time. Look, I’m in a position where I’ll get praise when it goes well, and