Gray challenges Hibs to 'change history' in Europe
Hibs pushed Midtjylland all the way to the last minute of extra-time
- Published
Conference League third qualifying round first leg: Partizan Belgrade v Hibernian
Venue: Partizan Stadium Date: Thursday, 7 August Kick-off: 20:00 BST
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Head coach David Gray is urging his players to "change history in positive ways" as Hibernian eye Conference League qualification.
The Leith side travel to Partizan Belgrade in the first leg of their third-round qualifier on Thursday after suffering Europa League heartache last week.
A stunning extra-time bicycle kick from Midtjylland's Junior Brumado denied Hibs a penalty shootout at Easter Road, but Gray wants his team to respond by embracing a tough trip to a hostile Partizan Stadium.
On facing a potentially daunting atmosphere, the Hibs boss told BBC Scotland: "You need to deal with that challenge. It's a different one many of the players haven't experienced before and we'll make sure players are ready for it.
"It will be tough. That intensity and atmosphere is something we have to contend with as well. I expect them to be fast and intense."
Despite being the first British club to play in Europe, Hibs have never qualified for a group or league phase of a Uefa competition.
To change that, they will need to beat Partizan, who finished as a distant second in the Serbian top flight last term, and Legia Warsaw or AEK Larnaca in the play-off round.
"It's something that's not been done," added Gray, whose side started their Scottish Premiership campaign with a win at Dundee on Sunday.
"I keep challenging the players to change history in positive ways. It's going to take huge effort and maximum performance levels. The players need to relish this opportunity."
What shape are Partizan in?
Partizan have a rich history domestically and in continental competitions, which includes a European Cup final appearance in 1966, but they are without a league title since 2017 amid a period of domestic domination from Belgrade rivals Red Star.
They last reached the group stage of the Champions League in 2010-11, while they progressed from the Conference League group phase in 2022 and 2023.
Two narrow victories mean Partizan have started their Superliga campaign with maximum points, but they were defeated on penalties by Larnaca in Europa League qualifying.
They set up their meeting with Hibs by thrashing Ukranian side Oleksandriya 6-0 on aggregate. In the 4-0 second-leg win, eight of the starting XI were aged 21 or under.
What are Partizan saying?
Srjdan Blagojevic, the Partizan Belgrade head coach, has highlighted Martin Boyle as the main danger to his side progressing to the play-off round in the Europa Conference League.
The Belgrade boss says the pace of the Hibernian winger is his main concern, and that he was impressed with the Easter Road club in their Europa League qualifiers against Midtjylland, despite eventually losing out to the Danes in extra-time.
"The fact that Hibernian were eliminated after 119 minutes shows just how good Hibernian played in those two matches," said Blagojevic. "Their biggest advantage is their directness, free-kicks and their intensity and physical strengths.
"There is no doubt if we want to have a good result tomorrow we must find a response to this intensity, be strong in the duels and try to win as many second balls as we can.
"We need to implement our style of play. We need to give them an answer."
When asked specifically which player, the head coach replied: "Boyle. We will try to cope with his pace."
Team news
New Hibs signing Grant Hanley has travelled to Serbia but the Scotland defender may be short of match fitness.
Nicky Cadden picked up a mild hamstring injury in last week's second leg loss to Midtjylland, while Joe Newell and Rudi Molotnikov remain sidelined.
Partizan right-back Arandel Stojkovic is suspended after a red card in the home win over Oleksandriya and left-back Mario Jurcevic is a doubt after missing the past two games.
Winger Ibrahim Zubairu is still recovering from a broken ankle sustained in April, with Norway international midfielder Ghayas Zahid another long-term absentee.