Watch former Hibs star score 'absolute screamer' after 'significant impact' following Black Cats exit

A former Hibs and Sunderland star has been lauded after scoring a weekend sizzler for his current club.

Nectar Triantis was an Easter Road storyline last summer as he was linked with a return to the side he’d shone on loan at in term 24/25, as David Gray’s team finished third in the Premiership. He returned to Sunderland with transfer options available to him, including Hibs, but opted for the MLS and Minnesota United.

He played the back end of the MLS season and despite head coach Cameron Knowles’ side losing 3-1 against Nashville, Triantis still impressed, scoring a long range raker. The midfielder won the ball near his own half, charged forward with defenders retreating, sizing up the goal and blasting beyond the goalkeeper.

Watch former Hibs and Sunderland star score long range ‘screamer’

Since leaving Sunderland, the midfielder has played 13 times in the MLS, with four goals and two assists, with his most recent able to watch below. Three goals with six assists were notched during time at Hibs over 50 games and Knowles insists the team are benefitting from the ex-Hibs man’s emergence in America.

Knowles said: “He’s shown a real knack for scoring from distance, that is for sure. It’s an absolute screamer. He has played well. Him and played together again. We can still refine how they work together in possession and how we can get them on the ball more. Nectar has done a really good job since he came in and I have said it many times.

“It’s difficult to come in like he did mid-season last year and make an impact. He had a significant impact and he’s having a bigger role this season. He is always hungry for more and I am really pleased for him that he got that reward.”

Why did Nectar Triantis move to MLS?

Speaking last year on how Hibs played a role in Triantis’ move to the States, Minnesota United’s head of recruitment, roster strategy and negotiation, Hank Stebbins, said: “We see him as primarily as a midfielder and have recruited him as a midfielder. We have recruited him as a six as we really liked what we saw from him playing for Hibernian in Scotland, now coming from Sunderland, recently promoted.

“Spent last year at Hibernian, played as a centre back in Australia. Actually started as a young player as winger in Australia when we first met with him which is interesting when you watch him play. He will go long runs with the ball, kind of dribbling coming out of the midfield, and driving forward, he does have really quality close control.

“We knew we had played centre back which was appealing but when we saw him playing at Hibernian, that was the first time he had started playing that central defensive midfield role. What he offers us is he’s a big body, he wins headers, he is very powerful. He is doubling down on what we are already very good at and hopefully taking it to another level. He is going to be really effective on set pieces, a really good defensive structure. He’s an intelligent player and he offers an element of ability to pass the ball. Can play forward in a really effective manner.”