“It’s only half-time” – Gray confident of European comeback at Easter Road
David Gray believes his Hibs side are capable of producing a comeback against KF Malisheva at Easter Road on Thursday night. The Easter Road side face an uphill task against the Kosovan outfit after last week’s 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second-round qualifier. However, Gray is confident his team can overturn the two-goal deficit on home soil. Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference, Gray said: “It is half-time in the tie, and that’s the only benefit that came out of the first game — that it’s not finished. “We can still turn this around. I firmly believe we can, and I’m certainly getting that from the players as well. “I think it shows you that you need to play at a level to make sure you get the right result in games. “We were below the level required over there, absolutely, and we need to be far better in every area to make sure we’ve got the best opportunity to turn this around.” Hibs have previous experience of overturning a first-leg European defeat, most notably in 2023 against Inter Club d’Escaldes, when they defeated the Andorran side 6-1 at Easter Road after a 2-1 loss in the first leg. Inter Club d’Escaldes are a similar type of opposition to KF Malisheva, and Gray is hoping that the Easter Road crowd can help contribute to turning the tie around. “Some of the best European nights I’ve experienced as a coach and a player have been at home at Easter Road, with the fans right behind you, driving us on from the first minute, which is what we’re going to need to make sure our players can thrive. “It’s up to everybody to make sure we do what we can tomorrow night.” The Hibs boss also provided a fitness update on his squad, with Jamie McGrath, Nicky Cadden, and summer signing Callum Wright all set to miss out again through injury, while Ante Šuto is hopeful of making the squad. He said: “It’ll be the same squad as the first leg, as you can’t add players to that anyway. “The one we’re still trying to get back is Ante Šuto, who is in a bit of a race against time. “It might come just too soon, but we’re going to do what we can to try and get him involved.” Should Hibs progress, they will face either NK Bravo of Slovenia or KF Shkëndija of North Macedonia in the third qualifying round.
“Go home and eat some barbed wire” – Johansson Warns Steelmen of Second Leg Test
Alfred Johansson has warned Motherwell against underestimating HB Torshavn, insisting his side must “respect” their opponents despite taking a two-goal advantage into Thursday’s second leg. The Steelmen earned a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Faroese outfit at Fir Park last week, but Johansson is under no illusions about the challenge that awaits his players in the Faroe Islands. HB boast an impressive record on home soil in European competition, and the Motherwell boss believes his side must be fully prepared for a demanding evening. “You have to respect the team we’re going to play, and you have to respect the place where we’re going to play,” Johansson said. “In the last 10 years, I believe they’ve only lost twice at home in European qualifying. “In the last five years, they’ve not lost a single home game in European qualification, and that includes teams like Brøndby, which is a big club in Denmark. It includes Maccabi Haifa and HJK Helsinki. These are very, very big clubs.” Scottish clubs have developed an unwanted reputation for difficult nights in European qualifiers, suffering shock defeats to sides from countries such as Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Gibraltar, and Malta. Johansson believes Motherwell must approach the match with the same intensity shown in the first leg. “To think you’re just going to go there and grab a victory easily is fooling yourself. “I told the guys today to go home and eat some barbed wire and prepare for the battle, because it’s going to be a battle. You’re going to have to be strong and brave to play our way. “The intensity has to be there. Otherwise, there’s no point travelling.” Two stunning goals from debutant Martin Moormann and midfield anchor Lukas Fadinger put Motherwell in a commanding position and a step closer to securing automatic qualification for the UEFA Conference League. Johansson could also be handed a major boost with the return of Tawanda Maswanhise. The forward, who finished as Motherwell’s top scorer last season with 17 goals in the Scottish Premiership, is nearing a comeback after injury. While Johansson confirmed Maswanhise is unlikely to start, he believes having the Zimbabwe international available again will provide a significant lift for the squad. “Hopefully, it’s looking quite good for JT at this point,” Johansson said. “He won’t start the game and he’ll wear protection, but it’s massive to have him back. What a player. “Did you see him last season? What a player he is. It’s a massive boost for everyone.” HB Torshavn v Motherwell Aggr. 0-2: Leg 2 of 2 European Conference League Qualifying Round Two
“It’s Where I Want To Be” – Celtic Captain McGregor Has No Intention to Leave
Celtic captain Callum McGregor insists that Parkhead is ‘where he wants to be’ amid rumours linking him with a move to Saudi Arabia. The 33-year-old has spent his whole career in Glasgow besides a season on loan at Notts County, but had been linked with a reunion with former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers at Al-Qasidah. The former Scotland international said he would only stay at Celtic if the club matched his ambition, but today confirmed that he wants to continue at the Premiership holders. He told Sky Sports: “Absolutely, this is a football club that has been part of my whole life since I was eight or nine years old. “It’s where I want to be, it’s where I want to play football. “Ultimately, I want to keep driving everything that I possibly can to make sure this club is successful. “Eventually, the day that you do leave it, you want to leave it in a really good place. Celtic confirmed the club-record signing of Kasper Høgh from Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, who becomes the second signing of the summer after Camilo Duran, which McGregor admitted is an encouraging step forward. “We’ve signed two strikers, two really good players. “It’s good signs, it’s positive steps, and that is to add to what is a really good group already. “I don’t really think there is a group of players or staff who could get us through that difficult moment as much as these boys did.” Celtic’s defence of the title kicks off on Monday evening at Celtic Park, where they will face Steven Pressley’s Dundee.