Sunderland loanee Nectarios Triantis garnered widespread attention following Hibs’ recent loss to Rangers. Triantis, who arrived at Hibs on loan from Sunderland in January, had seen limited action with just three appearances for the Black Cats across all competitions.
His early days at Hibs were marked by adversity, as he conceded two penalties in successive matches. However, under the guidance of his former manager at Central Coast Mariners, Nick Montgomery, Triantis was redeployed to the midfield, where he began to showcase his talents.
In the last three Scottish Premiership fixtures, Triantis has been a regular starter for Hibs. Despite the team’s defeat against league leaders Rangers, Triantis attracted notice for his performance on the pitch.
Nectarios Triantis clip blows up
A widely circulated video clip shows Triantis attempting a quick free-kick to propel his team forward in a bid to salvage a point. However, his execution didn’t go as planned, as the ball struck teammate Joe Newell in the face, causing him to stumble.
The mishap continued as the ball ricocheted and hit Will Fish in the face, sending him to the ground as well. Triantis appeared bewildered amidst the chaos, seemingly realizing the unintended consequences of his actions.
This has just happened in the Rangers vs Hibs game🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/rmx6UV7Z3E
— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) March 30, 2024
Despite the humorous nature of the incident, social media reactions praised Triantis’s audacity, although the 20-year-old seemed more concerned about the team’s defeat than his newfound viral fame.
Does the defender have a future in Sunderland’s midfield?
Transitioning to a midfielder role at Easter Road could potentially enhance Nectarios Triantis’s prospects of securing a spot in Sunderland’s team in the future.
With Dan Ballard establishing himself in the starting lineup and Luke O’Nien’s recent performance showcasing his importance, Triantis’s struggles in defense for both Sunderland and Hibs suggest the need for reinforcement in that position before he earns regular first-team football.
However, excelling in midfield could present Sunderland with an additional option. Corry Evans’s uncertain contract situation and the effectiveness of Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah when given offensive freedom suggest that Triantis could offer valuable cover just ahead of the backline.
Despite hopes for a breakthrough, doubts persist about Triantis’s potential to emerge as a standout player, leaving skepticism about whether he’s truly a hidden gem unearthed by Kristjaan Speakman.