Raging Nick Montgomery takes VAR review as Hibs 'punch to the face' as 2 decisions still rankle with boss now

Nick Montgomery says it's as good as a 'punch to the face' for Hibs to see the VAR review panel admit that two big decisions against them were wrong.

The SFA released findings from an independent panel with 10 incidents in the Premiership since the start of February deemed incorrect. Among them were two big calls that cost Hibs, one against Hearts in the February Edinburgh derby and the other against St Johnstone in April.

It was found that Hearts should not have been awarded the penalty from which they equalised in the 1-1 draw at Tynecastle, and that Montgomery's side SHOULD have had a spot-kick in their 2-1 home defeat by St Johnstone in April while the match was goalless. Hibs subsequently missed out on the top six by a point and an angry Montgomery said: "Looking at the incidents that came out this week, it's just like another punch in the face, I'll be honest.

"To have a derby win taken off us, taken off the fans, the boys who put in the effort to win that game, in an incident that everybody knew was wrong on the night... For that to come out in a report, when everyone knew it was wrong at the time, it's unacceptable. The big picture, the big impact it has on seasons and where teams finish in the league. Clubs have invested into a VAR system to ensure that we don't get these decisions wrong in massive games. That is to help the referees.

"So for the VAR to call the referee over in the Hearts game, for instance, to review it - and everybody knows it's wrong, that really does beggar belief. I think the decisions we've had this season, especially in this latter part, have really impacted our season."

Montgomery said "there's always a chance" when asked about the prospects of loan pair Bournemouth playmaker