Hibs defenders Jordan Obita and Rocky Bushiri setting off from Edinburgh Airport
Hibernian take confidence from their strong second half of last season, says head coach David Gray as they prepare to open the new campaign away to Midtjylland in Europa League qualifying.
The hosts finished second in the Danish top flight by one point, while Gray's side moved from the bottom of the Scottish Premiership in early December to seal third place with a game to spare.
A remarkable turnaround in form included equalling a club-record run of 17 league games unbeaten.
"We know if we play to our maximum we're a very good side but we know we need to be at that level because this is a very tough tie," said Gray.
"They are a good side, well coached, but we know what we've done last season and we're concentrating on what we can do.
"This is a tie over 180 minutes, so you need to remember if you go a goal up or a goal down early there's still a lot of football still to be played."
Summer recruit Jamie McGrath told BBC Scotland he had enjoyed "amazing nights" in Europe with former club Aberdeen and the midfielder is keen to make some new memories.
"Hopefully we can show what we're about," said the 28-year-old.
"Obviously they're a very good team, they are used to group stage football. We'll have our work cut out, but on the flip side we are dangerous on the counter. We can score goals against anybody, so it should be an interesting game.
"Hopefully we can bring it back to Easter Road next week and get the place rocking."
The winners of the tie will go on to face Norwegian side Fredrikstad, while the losers drop to the Conference League against Oleksandriya of Ukraine or Partizan Belgrade of Serbia.
Team news
Australia defender Lewis Miller misses out but Hibs have no other injury worries.
Record-signing Thibault Klidje could make his debut after joining from Luzern, while McGrath may be joined in midfield by fellow new arrival Josh Mulligan.
"The new players have settled in really well," explained Gray. "That's testament to the players we have, natural leaders like Rocky Bushiri really help with things like that.
"The togetherness in the group was a big thing in our success last season and I think we've started in the same vein.
"We're always trying to improve but it's not just about numbers. It's about bringing the right type of people to the club."
Midtjylland make their mark in Europe
The MCH Arena holds just over 12,000 fans but Midtjylland are firmly established as one of Denmark's leading clubs, having finished either first or second in the Superliga in six of the past seven seasons.
The hosts may be little more than 25 years old, while Hibs celebrate their 150th anniversary this season, yet they have played 56 more games in Europe, underlying their recent pedigree at this level.
Last season they reached the playoff round of the Europa League, losing out to Real Sociedad after winning three and losing three of their eight group phase games.
In 2021, they knocked Celtic out of Champions League qualifying, having been in the group stage of that tournament the year before.
They are aiming for a seventh involvement at group level across Uefa's competitions, while Hibs have never gone beyond the preliminary rounds since they were introduced.
"It's always a part of the club to be in Europe," said Midtjylland manager Thomas Thomasberg. "We want to go to the group stage every year.
"I have seen different styles from Hibs. I think it depends on the opponent and their approach.
"I think in an away game they will try to protect themselves in some way. But I have also seen a team who can be aggressive. So I think it depends on how good we are on the ball, whether they will end up being a little bit low. Or they can go up in pressure."
Good and bad Danish memories for Gray
Hibs boss David Gray scored when the Easter Road side were last in Denmark
Hibs' reward for ending their long wait to lift the Scottish Cup in 2016 was a meeting with Brondby at the same stage of this competition.
The Danes left Easter Road with a 1-0 victory but Gray, who scored the famous stoppage-time winner at Hampden, found an equaliser in Copenhagen to take the second leg to a penalty shootout, with Scotland midfielder John McGinn the only player to miss from the spot.
