Gray has proved his managerial credentials after a difficult start as Hibs boss
David Gray says the financial reward for coming through their Europa Conference League play-off makes the two matches against Legia Warsaw the biggest test for him since becoming Hibernian manager.
The Easter Road club are at home for the first leg against the Polish side on Thursday before travelling to Warsaw for the return game next week.
Gray says there has been a strong focus on the matches since the pathway to European football until Christmas began to reveal itself after the successful conclusion to last season.
Hibs began the 2024-25 season poorly but a sensational run of form in the second half of the campaign led them to third place.
They lost to Midtjylland in the Europa League second qualifying, so dropped into the third qualifying round of the Conference League, where they defeated Partizan Belgrade.
"We were a wee bit unsure as to exactly what our European campaign would look like, the path we would take as a result of what happened with the cup," he said.
"We were then going in at round two, so we knew it was going to be a massive effort to get to this stage.
"It's something that, from the first day back in pre-season, the challenge to the group of players was, can we qualify for group stage football, which has never been done before at the club? So can you create history?
"The challenge we've had, the tests we've had, the games we've come through, have been fantastic - and this is the latest one.
"It doesn't get any easier. If anything, it gets tougher just because you get a little bit closer and the expectation and the noise around around that.
"But it's certainly a very exciting time to be a Hibs player and fan and everybody connected with the club. We need to use that to our advantage.
"The opportunity to be playing in Europe right up to Christmas, the opportunity of the potential fixtures we might get.
"Testing myself against top coaches, I think it's where we want to be competing at this club. It's all geared up and ready to go and do that."
Hibs defeated Partizan Belgrade over two legs thanks to Chris Cadden's extra-time strike, which secured an aggregate victory and a Conference League play-off spot.
Gray says the Polish side - who lost out in the quarter-finals of this competition last season to eventual winners Chelsea - are a step up in standard, but the message to his squad is a confident one.
"It's still 11 very good players against 11 players. It's played over two legs as well, so it's not as if this is a one-off game," he added.
"It's really important how we start the game, especially at home. We really want to make sure we use that to our advantage.
"We've been away in the other legs first, which maybe changes the psychology behind it. Then, my mindset was to try and quieten the crowd.
"We just want to make sure that if the players go out and give the account of themselves that they have been doing, we know we're a really good side.
"And we can look forward to hopefully another special night at Easter Road."
Team news
Gray made six changes to the weekend team that defeated Livingston in the Premiership Sports Cup - but says there is only one player unavailable for selection for Thursday's game - midfielder Joe Newell.
There is better news on fellow midfielder Rudi Molotnikov, who has come through further training time this week although it may be too early to be involved.
Attacking midfielder Jamie McGrath has trained over the last two days and is in contention.
