Hibs 'hungrier than ever' Euro progress promise as star midfielder sets sights on Conference League campaign
Former Aberdeen and St Mirren star eager to build on big first season at Easter Road
The memory of going so close last year, of pushing mighty Midtjylland all the way, battering Partizan in Belgrade and falling inches short against Legia in Warsaw, is providing Hibs with motivation aplenty as they gather in anticipation of another crack at European football. Even on his own personal day one pre-season, Jamie McGrath’s eyes were drawn to the UEFA Conference League challenge to come.
Speaking after a hard session at the team’s training HQ on the outskirts of Dublin, reflecting on a busy summer that saw him make the most of a late call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad, the attacking midfielder admitted to still finding his feet. But reaching the league stage of the Conference League, starting with beating either FK Vllaznia or KF Malisheva in that second qualifying round tie at the end of the next month, is an obvious target.
“I'm sure the gaffer will have a few meetings now over the next few weeks,” said McGrath, coming off the back of an impressive first season at Easter Road, the former St Mirren and Aberdeen star adding: “But we can't look too far ahead of the end of July.
Busy international summer against World Cup teams
“We want to go as far as we can in that. We obviously know the potential opponents, so we'll be keeping an eye on that and obviously watch the first two legs of that one. Yeah, I think that's just our sole focus at the minute.
“Yeah, it's hard to believe it (Europe) is a year ago now. Midtjylland doesn't feel like that long ago now. It just shows you in your career you have to make the most of these opportunities because in the flash of an eye, a year's gone and you're like, I don't know how many more opportunities you get.
“I think we'd be hungrier than ever, coming so close last season. I think you really want to just try to get to that final step. That's all our dreams is to get this club into group stage football. So why not this year?”
McGrath has already ticked off a couple of major achievements this summer, returning to the Ireland squad for games against Qatar and Canada. He even won the penalty – by taking a kick to the head – in the draw with Jesse Marsch’s side, now bound for the last 16 of the World Cup.
Speaking about his international involvement, the 29-year-old – who went to university just down the road from his team’s accommodation for the week - said: “Yeah, it obviously came last minute. I was actually away when it came up and I had a great chat with the gaffer.
“It was great two weeks away, got some good game time and two positive results for us. So yeah, hopefully that does me well now coming into pre-season.
“Although I got a good break, it doesn't feel like I've missed that much football in the last three weeks. So hopefully I can come in fresh now and keep the good run going.
“It was great to get the call back in. It's just a fresh environment. You're training with a new bunch of players, obviously new ways of thinking under different managers.
“You're playing different teams and you're looking at different oppositions, so it's exciting. Playing in different stadiums in different countries. It's one you really enjoy going in and it was a really good, enjoyable two weeks.
“The penalty? I don’t know, I just threw my head in! I've seen the striker lining it up. I don't know if he was from a set-piece or a second phase. I don't think he's too used to being in there.
“I've seen him making his move early, so I knew if I put my head in that area, I'd probably end up in a penalty. Luckily it did.”
Owen Elding impressed with Ireland
McGrath was joined in the Ireland squad by Hibs team-mate Owen Elding, even though the young centre forward wasn’t yet eligible to play for the country where he grew up. The coaching staff were impressed by the striker. Which didn’t surprise his older club-mate.
“He settled in just like he has here, hit the ground running,” said McGrath, who revealed: “All the senior boys in the squad couldn't get over how good he is, so I'm sure - hopefully - that's his first camp of many.”
Hibs step up their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Shamrock Rovers tonight. For McGrath, who came through the ranks at St Patrick’s and Dundalk, Tallaght Stadium is a familiar enough venue.
“Oh, played there many a times,” he said, with a grin. “Yeah, looking forward to going back.
“I know a lot of the lads there. Even the Irish kitman, Mal, he's the kitman of Rovers.
“There's a few Rovers lads in the Irish team over the summer as well. There'll be a lot of familiar faces, so looking forward to going back.”