‘He’s been missed’ – Hibs boss Monty on return of key player’

Joe Newell’s return from suspension should give Hibs a serious lift as they travel to Dingwall for Saturday’s meeting with Ross County, with the midfielder’s absence keenly – and obviously – felt in the weekend loss to St Johnstone. On a day when Hibs failed to make the most of dominating their hosts, in terms of possession, the central midfield pairing of Jimmy Jeggo and Dylan Levitt struggled to set the high tempo needed to break down Craig Levein’s dogged battlers.

Part of that problem undoubtedly lay in the fact that the Jeggo-Levitt partnership hasn’t been a regular pairing under Nick Montgomery; you can’t just expect them to click straight away. The manager isn’t claiming that Hibs lost in Perth because one player, however influential, was missing from the starting XI.

Nonetheless, Monty is overjoyed to have Newell back, saying, “Joe is a big player for the team – and sometimes you become a better player when you don’t play!” He was missed over the weekend since he has been a rock in there for us.

“We lost the game because we didn’t perform, not because Joe Newell wasn’t there.” We had 62% possession of the ball, but what we accomplished with it was inadequate. It was too slow, we didn’t create enough scoring chances, and then we got sucker punched, which is what happens in football. It’ll be good to have Joe back in the lineup, especially since everyone is fighting for slots this weekend.”

Obligated to make it appear as if Newell is competing for a spot, it would be a great surprise if the 30-year-old isn’t one of the first names on the squad sheet. Because he’s become so important to how Hibs want to play.

Building from the back appears to be a strategy that is strongly reliant on having a custodian and defenders who are comfortable in possession. Midfielders must be able to drop into space, play a one-time pass with just the proper weight and angle, and then be smart enough to position themselves for the next phase of the “breakout” beyond the opposition press.

Montgomery immediately escalated his demands on Newell after replacing Lee Johnson in September, pressing him to do more to aid the squad. And, as vital as he is when Hibs have the ball, it all started with what he did when they didn’t have it.

“He has become more involved in the game,” Monty remarked. “He is very good on the ball and can dictate play, but he needed to do more and work harder off the ball.”

“As a two-man midfielder, he and Jimmy Jeggo or Dylan Levitt have a lot of work to do in the middle of the park.” It’s a good role, and they’re the team’s actual motor, connecting back to front and providing protection when we lose the ball.

“It’s a big job and a big position, but Joe is doing well.” He, like everyone else, is growing and changing. I promised Joe he could give me more, and he has, so I’m quite pleased with how things have been going.”

Levitt had a particularly difficult afternoon against St Johnstone, with his error – attempting to play out from his own penalty area but misplacing a pass – resulting to the game’s sole goal. It was a blunder that left the Welshman depressed.

“Dylan was devastated after the game, but it was a mistake and that’s not on Dylan, that’s on the team,” Montgomery said. “That was a mistake at the time, but I was more disappointed with our reaction and the fact that we didn’t get him out of it quickly enough.” I’m not taking anything away from their striker because it was a fantastic finish from that position.

“However, I didn’t have to tell Dylan anything. He was visibly disappointed following the game, but he is a terrific player and a decent boy, and that is no longer the case. He’s been working out hard and will be ready for this weekend.”