Hibs Euro rivals in scoring blitz ahead of UEFA Conference League clash - and coach urges team to 'believe'
David Gray’s men hold 2-0 advantage ahead of home leg on Thursday night
UEFA Conference League rivals Partizan warmed up for Thursday’s visit to Easter Road in an astonishing NINE-goal contest yesterday. And Belgrade boss Srdjan Bladenovic has urged his players to use their 7-2 thrashing of FK Napredak as inspiration ahead of their clash with Hibs.
David Gray’s men hold a 2-0 advantage over the Serbs after last Thursday night’s famous away victory in a blistering atmosphere at the Partizan Stadion, leaving almost 25,000 home fans – known as the Gravediggers – stunned. Martin Boyle bagged both goals on the night, taking his tally for Hibs to 101.
In Edinburgh yesterday, though, Hibs threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Kilmarnock, leaving Gray complaining about “two points dropped” in a contest where the home side faded badly in the second half. By contrast, Partizan were inflicting a defeat so heavy that the Napredak gaffer publicly offered his resignation after the match.
Three up at half-time, they put on an incredible frenzy of scoring after the break – hitting the net four times in just seven minutes. Having made six changes to the starting XI, Bladenovic couldn’t have been happier with the performance.
Belgrade boss has ‘nothing to complain about’
But he quickly turned attention towards the challenge of overturning a 2-0 deficit in Edinburgh, declaring: “We are already dealing with Hibernian and what lies ahead. We needed new energy because the players were worn out after last week. That's what we got.
“We have an accelerated schedule of games, which has been going on for some time because of our involvement in Europe. But I’m glad it’s like that, obviously.
“When the score is 7-2, it’s not as if I have anything to complain about! It’s good that we won, obviously. It's good that we won with such a high result
“In this game we found some new energy. We also gave some playing time to players who missed the previous game. I don’t think we can be unhappy about anything!
“There were a lot of mistakes on both sides. But nine goals shows that the spectators were able to enjoy themselves, especially the Partizan fans.
“Everything turned out well. We will analyse the game, as we always do, even though there is really no time. We will certainly talk.
“Now we have to go to Scotland and play the same way. I want the players and the fans to believe that we can achieve something in Edinburgh.”
Napredak coach Milan Nikolic publicly offered his resignation after the game, declaring: “This is my fault. I am the culprit.
“After this result, it is really incomprehensible for this level of football. I can't blame the players, I'm the one to blame. We will talk to the players and the management, we will see what happens next.
“In my opinion, it is realistic and human for some change to occur, I am in a slight shock. Some players have to ask themselves where they play, in which club. I don't know what else to say.
“Of course, I will offer my resignation. No one else is responsible.”
Partizan will be without the suspended Vukasin Durdevic after the defender’s red card in Belgrade. And Bladenovic is expected to make a number of changes for Thursday’s game, which kicks off at 8 pm.