New Hibernian boss Nick Montgomery insists there are plenty of positives to take despite watching his side throw away a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
An unfortunate own-goal by goalkeeper Will Dennis handed the visitors the lead after eight minutes before Dylan Vente’s strike doubled Hibs’ lead.
It looked as if Montgomery’s reign at Easter Road was set to get off to the perfect start, but a half-hour capitulation saw them pegged back as Kilmarnock earned a dramatic point.
Kyle Vassell pulled one back from close-range just minutes after Vente notched his third goal of the season, before Joe Wright completed the turnaround as he headed home Danny Armstrong’s inside the six-yard box.
Montgomery said: “It’s obviously frustrating to go 2-0 up away from home and not win but I thought the boys played some really good stuff as it’s not an easy place to come.
“I thought we could have probably killed the game off in the first-half as we had some very good chances and their keeper pulled off some good saves and when we conceded the first one it gave them a bit of momentum.
“It’s disappointing not to take full points but credit to Kilmarnock as they showed real fight.
“It was a real team effort, including the boys that came off the bench, who looked very dangerous. We could look back at the end of the season and realise it was a good point but just now it’s a difficult one to take.
“It’s not been easy to cram everything in within the space of a week, but the boys have been very receptive. What I have learned is that there are great staff here and the squad is very strong.
“We’ve got competition for places all over the pitch and that’s what you need. They took a lot of information on board this week and I thought they were very brave, created some good stuff and were backed on by the fans who were outstanding today.
“I’m a little bit tired and have been jet-lagged for the first couple of days.
“Everybody has been very welcoming as have the players, fans, and staff as well.
“I’ve bumped into a lot of people while wandering around and have had people coming up and wishing me well. It’s now my job to give them all something back and get the team playing well.”
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes felt his side should have defended better in the build-up to Hibernian’s second.
He said: “It’s quite a quiet dressing room down there to be honest and it feels like an opportunity missed.
“When you’re 2-0 down with so little time to go, the response was everything you want and what supporters want to see. Everybody gave that wee bit more and that’s what you call team spirit.
“I thought the second goal came against the run of play a wee bit as we started the second-half well and were a bit braver and tried to minimise the influence of (Martin) Boyle and (Elie) Youan as those boys don’t need any encouragement to influence a game.
“The second goal killed us, it was an absolutely ridiculous goal to lose from a throw-in. If we defended that situation better we could have won the game, but these players are everything that I want my team to be.
“I’m really pleased with how we finished the game and I think that’s always important.”
Guardiola: Foden can still get better after Player of the Year award
Pep Guardiola thinks Phil Foden can still get better, after the 23-year-old winning the Premier League’s Player of the Year.
Foden has been a pivotal part of City’s title challenge this season, scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists in the top-flight in 2023-24.
It is the youngster’s most prolific scoring season for City, while only six players have bettered Foden’s goal haul in the Premier League.
When asked about the strides that Foden has made this season, leading him to the award, Guardiola praised the England international’s influence on the squad.
"Obviously, he makes a step forward as a football player. In terms of minutes or time, but he's decisive in winning games," Guardiola said.
"Maybe before it was a glimpse of action, but now it's consistent. That is the truth, but they still have a margin. Sometimes his game is overexcited, it's over, and you have to be more calm because his excitement he has for himself, but we'll have question of time, but this season has been really, really important. Really, really important."
Foden has bettered his tally of 11 goals from last season and leads City’s squad for chances created this campaign with 68.
"He's moving forward, but I had the feeling he can be better, and I think he can do it because I've said many times, that he loves football," Guardiola added.
"He enjoys being on the pitch, and I think the feeling doesn't like when you have the day off.
"He likes to be in the training session doing less or more and I had the feeling it still can be better."
Manchester City can win a fourth-consecutive Premier League title on Sunday against West Ham, if they can match or better Arsenal's result.
Objectives met: Shabazz pleased with Golden Jaguars' showing despite losses to T&T
Despite losing both friendly encounters to Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana senior men’s Head coach Jamaal Shabazz says their objectives were met, as the players that made the trip to the twin island republic gained invaluable experience that will assist to shape their future in the sport.
The Golden Jaguars lost 1-2 and 0-2 to Angus Eve’s Soca Warriors at the Crawford Stadium, in Port of Spain, but for Shabazz, the fixtures served their purpose of gauging the readiness of players, who competed in recently concluded Round One of the KFC Elite League Season, especially with the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers scheduled to get under way next month.
“We did not win, but a lot of questions were answered as to who is ready to move into our full international squad. We achieved our other objectives. We got higher level match practice for the likes of Daniel Wilson, Kelsey Benjamin, Curtez Kellman, Colin Nelson and Ryan Hackett, all of whom travel with our first team. We gave valuable exposure to players like Marcus Tudor, Simeon Moore, Chris Macey and Stephen McDonald, just to name a few,” Shabazz shared.
“It is clear that player for player we were able to match our opponents. Some boys gave a good account of themselves, and some were a bit nervous. Most importantly, the lads would have learnt a few lessons for their future, like the margin for error at international level is small and the need for more composure in front of goal,” he added.
Aside from those he mentioned, Shabazz also had three overseas-based players from Canada, France and the United States, in his 24-member squad, and by all indications, a few more might be assessed, as the tactician prepares to select his final squad for the qualifiers.
Guyana will contest Group D of the qualifiers, alongside Panama, Montserrat, Belize and Nicaragua. They are set to open against Panama in Panama City on June 6, followed by the Belize encounter on June 11 in Barbados.
Shabazz expressed gratitude for the continued support in gifting local-based players the opportunity to showcase their potential, and challenge for spots in the final squad.
“I must thank the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Football Federation for enabling this exposure for the home-based players. At least twice a year we should get these types of matches for home-based players to develop,” Shabazz noted.
Guardiola: Other clubs have a chance to win the title against Man City
Pep Guardiola believes that other clubs do have the chance to win the Premier League while he is the Manchester City manager.
Guardiola has led the Citizens to five top-flight titles in his seven seasons in charge, including each of the last three in a row.
They have the opportunity to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League campaign – they must match or better Arsenal’s result on the final day against West Ham to finish top of the table.
Asked what he thought about the narrative that suggested other teams struggle to win the title while he is at City, Guardiola immediately brushed the idea aside.
He said: "It is wrong, look at the margin. If every season I won by 20 points, then I would say yes I am a genius, I'm so good, but it's not.
"The Premier League we won against Liverpool they could have won. Arsenal can win, we can win. It's like that.
"My judgement about the team, about how we behave, nothing changed, nothing changed. My opinion of Liverpool this year has not changed, whether they have won or not won.
"I know here there is just a prize for the winners and the winners smell good and everyone won a copy and everything, but it's not.
"It's not the case because behind of arriving here in the last press conference of the season before the last game of the Premier League there are a lot of work, like Liverpool was and Arsenal have been this season."
Guardiola was also quick to highlight the hard work of everybody at the club during their title challenge.
"It's not because of what we have done in the past gives you this season, it's completely the opposite," he continued.
"There are a lot of work for all departments. How many my backroom staff, the medical department, the physio department, how they care all the seasons, every single few, few injuries.
"Injuries are always there, but the balance is ridiculous, how good it is, and that's because there is a lot of work, they care about the players and the people, you know, every single day, hours and hours being above the players, you have to do this, you have to do this, you have to do this to be fit. So otherwise, we cannot be where we are."
The City manager was also asked about his future at the club, and whether he would be continuing past the end of the season.
"Yeah, I have a contract. I want to be here next season, yes," he added.
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