Jair Tavares refused to play Hibs victim as Nick echoes Jose Mourinho’s sentiments

The Portuguese winger has revealed his ‘mental devastation’ after being left out in the cold by Lee Johnson.

Nick Montgomery has spoken of his pride in Jair Tavares for refusing to play the victim card after being frozen out at Hibs.

And the Easter Road boss insists the Portuguese winger is a shining example for any player who might think their career is over at a club – that it doesn’t always have to be that way. Tavares this week opened his heart of the “mental devastation” he suffered after being given the cold shoulder by Lee Johnson last season.

After joining from Benfica, the 22-year-old only made two starts. He finished the season practising with the development squad and was ordered to look for a new club in the summer. However, after taking over in September, Montgomery gave Tavares a clean slate, and the quick wide player has been rewarded with nine outings in his 11 games in command. “There is no doubt Jair had a difficult time,” Montgomery remarked.

“But the first thing I said to him was that you have to forget about the past. You can’t have a victim mentality because, if you do, it can be hard to move on and recover.

“I’m really, really proud of Jair. And I’m happy for the team because the boys supported him through a tough period.

“Everyone can see the ability he has. And he’s a real team player, a hard worker who has been outstanding in the run of games he’s had since we got here.

“His is great story for any player, young or old, thinking that their career is finished at a club. Because suddenly there is a change of manager and you get an opportunity to impress. Being a footballer is mentally hard at times. Everyone wants to play every week.

“But most weeks there are a lot of players – especially in some of the bigger clubs down south, who might have a squad of 40 – who just can’t play.”

Montgomery believes Jose Mourinho accurately described the challenge faced by managers of large teams. “The players who are not playing are the most important guys in terms of management,” he stated.

“It was once said by Jose Mourinho that the one thing he would never be able to change is the fact that while the players on the team like him, the players off the team don’t. I think such players are still capable of appreciating and comprehending the circumstances. Additionally, you need to confirm that the players are prepared and intellectually up to date.