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At Hibernian, reminders are scattered throughout Easter Road, even appearing on mouse mats, to highlight the expectations.
Striving for excellence in the little things, practicing humility and avoiding ego, and promoting a challenging yet positive environment are priorities, along with consistently securing a place in Europe and narrowing the distance between us and Celtic and Rangers.
This Wednesday, after three months as boss, Nick Montgomery will have the opportunity to evaluate their progress once more.
Under chief executive Ben Kensell, Hibs’ internal mantra is to be the club which dares to do things differently. It is up to Montgomery to ensure it happens on the pitch ahead of the trip to Celtic.
“It may have been challenging, but we can draw inspiration from Leicester’s success in the Premier League. No one predicted their victory in 2016,” shares the ex-Sheffield United midfielder with the PA news agency.
Each team in every division will view this as a motivating tale. Can it be maintained? Unfortunately, it’s difficult to maintain because of Leicester’s current position, but this is a rare occurrence.
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Each season, teams strive to obtain the top positions. While it may be challenging to compete against the dominant teams in the division, it remains a goal for all.
I am not suggesting that we can match them financially in any capacity, as that is not feasible within our budget.
Our goal is to have a strong team that can compete in every game.
The long-term plans stem from Kensell, who has laid important foundations at Easter Road and was key in helping bring Montgomery to Edinburgh from Central Coast Mariners in September after Lee Johnson’s departure.
In May, Brian McDermott, the previous manager of Reading, also became a part of the team as the director of football.
Kensell played a significant role in the achievements of Norwich both on and off the field, serving as the chief operating officer until 2021. During his time, he played a key role in leading the team to two promotions to the Premier League and navigating through the challenges brought on by the pandemic as a member of the club’s executive committee.
One of the ten principles at Easter Road that highlights the expectations for employees is to “find joy in your work, put in effort, have fun, and smile”. This idea strongly connects with Montgomery and influences his performance on the field.
“During my tenure, we have made significant strides in establishing our team’s identity on the field. Off the field, our goal is to create an enjoyable environment while also emphasizing the dedication and effort required,” he remarks, speaking from his office at the snowy Tranent training facility.
The initial step is getting acquainted with individuals and understanding their strengths and weaknesses. This helps in fostering a team environment where everyone pushes and challenges each other.
The boys are a close-knit team, and we have invited speakers and sports psychologists to discuss the importance of bonding and how it can lead to greater strength.
My responsibility is to ensure that this occurs, by fostering a space where individuals feel comfortable being their authentic selves.
Last season, Montgomery led the Central Coast Mariners to their first A-League championship in 10 years. Recently, his wife Josie and daughters Eva, Chloe, and Leah have joined him, and they attended their first game on Sunday, a 2-0 win over Aberdeen, after flying in from Australia.
Hibs secured their third consecutive victory, putting them just two points behind third-placed Hearts. Montgomery is confident that this is only the start of their success.
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We aspire to be a club that has a unique identity and focuses on nurturing players’ growth.
“He expressed that it is common knowledge that there are two dominant teams in the league, but that it is desirable to be among the top contenders.”
“We aim to establish ourselves as a club with a unique identity, focused on developing players who can be successful in the top leagues globally. Our goal is to then use the profits from player sales to further invest in our academy and community foundations.”
Our goal is to continue expanding our fanbase and community, and provide a club that everyone can take pride in.
Source: independent.co.uk
