Sunderland prospect's high footballing IQ providing Hibs with all the right answers, says fellow Aussie

As a proud Australian, Jack Iredale probably expects to be pigeon-holed as a big fan of the ‘amber nectar,’ as Paul Hogan’s 1990s adverts famously described some not especially sweet lager from Down Under. Ask any Scot, after all, and they’ll testify that national stereotypes tend to have a half life long past their sell-by date.

When the Hibs defender waxes lyrical about one of his country’s more recent successful exports, though, he’s not talking about cheap beer. But admiring a footballer exceeding all early expectations during his second loan spell at Easter Road.

Affectionately referring to Sunderland prospect Nectar Triantis as the “big dumb Australian boy” – that’s genuinely as soppy as the Aussies get, right? – currently dominating the centre of midfield, Iredale railed against some of the stick directed towards antipodean adventurers as he pointed out: “I'm really happy that he's playing so well. And I think that's a testament to how intelligent he is.

“Football-wise, the boys give us a bit of a stick sometimes as Aussies. But football-wise, Nectar’s very smart.

“And he’s still only 21. He's still learning a lot. I think it's difficult for some people to remember the fact that he is only 21 and he's only been playing in that position for how long? A year now?

“I remember watching him when he was 17 or 18 at Central Coast as a centre-back as well. If you told me back then that he was going to be bossing it in the Scottish Premiership in the middle of the park, maybe I wouldn't have believed it. But that just goes to show the quality that Nectar has, so I'm really happy for him.

“Usually you start higher up and work your way back. I think I was a left winger at that age and ended up right at the back. If you stuck me in the middle of that park, I don't think I'd do nearly as well as what he does.

“The physicality that he's got, and you see the quality that he has on the ball. He's got all the tools, but like I said, I don't want to put too much pressure on him because he is only 21. He is learning a lot, but he's learning quickly, so things are going well for him.”

Deadline day summer signing Iredale’s first start for Hibs came in the 3-3 draw at home to today’s visitors, Aberdeen. A night when everything changed for the hosts – starting with a switch to a back three.

Hibs boss David Gray has repeatedly said that Iredale getting up to full fitness, after arriving with a minor injury, was one of the main drivers behind the formation change that coincided with a dramatic upturn in fortunes. In his dozen starts on the left side of central defence, Hibs have only lost once.

“I've played that exact position for the last two years at Bolton,” said Iredale, the former Morton player – he enjoyed Scotland so much the first time, he came back for more – adding: “And I felt very comfortable in the changing room as well with the way that the lads brought me in and just included me. When you feel a part of the team you want to go and give everything for the boys around you.

“The relationship that I developed with Rocky Bushiri straight away, Joe Newell in front of me, I know Nectar because he's a big dumb Australian boy - so I know him well. I've played against Nicky Cadden loads of times and know him well.

“I think definitely the formation helped but then just the sort of personal relationships that I had with the players around me and the club as well. The fluidity that the formation allows us to have, it allows us to get more bodies in both boxes. When you concede less and score more things are going to be going well.

“We've got dangerous players out wide who can serve the box really well. We've got fast workhorses up top that will run all day long and make chances and nothing.

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“Then we've got the boys in the middle, we've got the quality that everyone that plays in the middle of the park is very good on the ball - but they're not afraid to get around and get stuck in. When the lads at the back are doing their job as well, everyone's doing their jobs and if you focus on doing your jobs well, everything should really be looking after itself.

“I think we've got players in this club that really suit this formation. We've got really adaptable players as well, so you'll probably see during the games we're quite fluid with our formations.

“Sometimes defending with a four, sometimes defending with a five and that allows us to get more bodies in both boxes really. So I think having that tactical flexibility from the manager as well to be able to coach us in a way that allows us to do that is massive and we're getting our rewards for it.”

Absolutely insistent that his arrival as a starter is NOT the reason why Hibs have turned their season around, he does joke about taking some credit for Nicky Cadden’s revelatory form, saying: “I keep telling Nicky I'm the reason why he's got Player of the Month, just because I'm doing all this dirty work for him and he's going to have fun. But I know that Nicky is working his socks off to get back and help me out as well.”

Your next Hibs read AND watch: Tactics Zone opposition analysis and video as Dons visit Easter Road