Nick Montgomery clings to top-six hopes despite defeat for Hibernian

Nick Montgomery admitted the one comfort following Hibernian’s 2-1 dwelling defeat by St Johnstone was that their top-six bid was not fully extinguished.

The Easter Highway facet would have been assured to be taking part in the season out within the backside six if sixth-placed Dundee had held on to beat Motherwell, however the Darkish Blues misplaced 3-2 regardless of main 2-0 till the 79th minute.

“I clearly wasn’t that throughout the recreation, I heard afterwards,” stated Montgomery of occasions at Dens Park. “If we will take any constructive out of in the present day – which is troublesome – then we take that as one, however we don’t wish to be counting on different individuals.

“There are two groups we may have caught (St Mirren and Dundee) if we acquired most factors.

“Now it’s one crew (Dundee) and we have now to depend on their outcomes. It’s not ideally suited.”

Dundee stay some extent forward of Hibs with a recreation in hand. The Darkish Blues host Rangers after which journey to Aberdeen on Saturday, whereas Hibs’ solely remaining pre-split fixture is away to a Motherwell facet who may squeeze into the highest six themselves in the event that they beat Montgomery’s facet and the Darkish Blues lose each of their matches.

“We now have to be constructive and we have now to consider that outcomes go our approach,” stated Montgomery.

“All we will do is go to Motherwell subsequent weekend figuring out that we have now to win the sport to offer ourselves an opportunity of nonetheless making the highest six.

“Till that’s mathematically inconceivable, we have now to consider. We’ve been on a great run. We misplaced at Rangers final week and I’m actually upset to lose to St Johnstone as a result of we wanted to win.

“We may have put huge strain on the groups above us however it’s out of our arms now.”

St Johnstone claimed their win when Tony Gallacher scored within the 81st minute after Hibs right-back Chris Cadden had cancelled out Adama Sidibeh’s opener.

The end result moved Saints 5 factors away from second backside Ross County within the battle to keep away from the relegation play-off spot, however boss Craig Levein is adamant they aren’t protected but.

“I feel we’re nonetheless concerned for the time being,” he stated.

“However we have to try to construct on this, we can’t get forward of ourselves. Hopefully we will go on a run now.”