Hibs boss David Gray hailed his side’s achievement in overcoming KF Shkëndija in European qualifying, moving them a step closer to potentially securing group-stage European football for the first time in the club’s history.

Thursday’s 0-0 draw was far from a classic, but a crucial 2-1 victory at Easter Road in the first leg, sealed by Warren O’Hora’s dramatic 90th-minute winner, proved enough to set up a play-off tie against Belgian side Gent. Speaking at full time, Gray was quick to praise his team’s resilience.

“Don’t underestimate how big an achievement that is against a really good side.

“It wasn’t a brilliant game, but bodies on the line and our players stepped up. A really positive win, especially off the back of Sunday.

“We found a way to get through and I’m delighted for the players. They thoroughly deserve it.

“In the first half there wasn’t much in it. It was a flat game. Our shape was good and we restricted them to very little.

“Over the course of the two legs, I don’t think anyone could say we don’t deserve to go through.

“The players have earned the right to have another go at the play-offs.

“You see the strength of the squad with the players coming off the bench. We’ve had a brilliant start to the season.

“The important thing now is to recover the players, cool them down, and they can be proud of what they’ve achieved.”

Hibs host Partick Thistle in the second round of the League Cup before welcoming Gent to Easter Road for the first leg of their play-off tie next Thursday.