Jamie McGrath, right, gave Hibs a perfect start with a debut goalSNS

Jamie McGrath, right, gave Hibs a perfect start with a debut goal

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Hibernian were "outstanding to a man", said head coach David Gray, as Jamie McGrath's debut goal helped them to a creditable first-leg draw against Midtjylland in Denmark.

Gray's men stunned the hosts with an early opener in the Europa League second-round qualifying tie as Republic of Ireland midfielder McGrath's free-kick from wide left caught out goalkeeper Jonas Lossl and crept into the net.

Despite a shaky start, Danish Superliga runners-up Midtjylland grew into the game and had two close-range efforts - Adam Buksa watched his header float on to the roof of Jordan Smith's net and Franculino Dju smashed over.

Gray's side continued to exploit Midtjylland's defensive frailties and Kieron Bowie had a chance to double their advantage when he latched on to a poor clearance, but his effort was blocked.

Martin Boyle did have the ball in the net for Hibs shortly before the interval but had strayed marginally offside.

Midtjylland piled on the pressure in the second half and, despite some nervy moments, Hibs held onto their narrow advantage.

That was until Jack Iredale gave away a free-kick just outside the box. Aral Simsir stepped up and rifled the ball into the top corner to draw the hosts level.

"The challenge was always to keep the tie alive and give us something to build on," ray told BBC Scotland.

"With the level of performance, I am delighted for the players. But it is only half the job. We knew that. But I want the players to take confidence from this because we matched a Champions League team from last season."

What was the main talking point?

All eyes were on Gray's men in Herning to see if they could pick up where they left off after last season's surge to a third-place Scottish Premiership finish. Within seven minutes at the MCH Arena, they proved they could.

McGrath's clever free-kick fooled Lossl and rewarded Hibs' strong start.

For their first competitive game of the season there was sure to be teething problems and a couple of lapses in concentration almost cost the visitors. But for the most part Hibs looked assured and comfortable at the back and in possession.

The equaliser was poor decision-making from Iredale, who gave away the dangerous set-piece, but until that point Hibs had been defending well under enormous pressure.

Despite looking a little rocked by the equaliser, and a few nervy moments as the clock ticked down, Hibs held on for the draw to head back to Easter Road knowing a win will be enough to take them through to face Norwegian side Fredrikstad.

Who stood out?

While McGrath will take the plaudits for his goal, there were several standouts for Hibs.

Among them were Boyle and Bowie, who both looked dangerous when they got on the ball.

Bowie ended his injury-disrupted first season at Easter Road on a high with a Scotland debut last month and looked keen to start in the same vein.

The 22-year-old had a few decent chances and posed a threat going forward. A promising sign for the season to come.

What next?

The sides meet at Easter Road for the second leg next Thursday (20:00 BST) and Hibs kick off their Premiership campaign on Sunday, 3 August at Dundee (15:00).

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