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.