Exclusive:Hibs ace in 'dangerous' warning as free-scoring UEFA Conference League foes Partizan chase Easter Road miracle
Coaches seek player input on what went wrong as ‘two points dropped’
Hibs have been reminded that their UEFA Conference League clash with Partizan is a long way from over despite their 2-0 victory in Belgrade. But David Gray’s men are confident that a packed Easter Road will give them the energy boost needed to progress to the play-offs.
Yesterday’s 2-2 home draw with Kilmarnock saw the hosts blow a two-goal lead as Gray was left bemoaning “two points dropped” in the second round of Scottish Premiership action. With Partizan winning 7-2 later in the evening, Hibs are guaranteed to be on high alert as they welcome the Serbian side to Edinburgh.
And defender Warren O’Hora, despite arguing that Hibs had been “unplayable” for 44 minutes against Killie, insists the players are well aware of the danger posed by Partizan, the Irishman declaring: “Yeah, it's not over at two-nil. No, no, no, we fully acknowledge that it's not over.
“I think two-nil is probably the most dangerous score line in any game. Not just on Thursday night, in any game, in any competition.
“Paritzan is a game that we're definitely looking forward to. We'll have to be ready for it, no doubt about it. They'll come out, and I'm sure they'll have a right go.
“But no doubt Easter Road will be packed, and the fans will be right behind us. We all know what we have to do, we all know the score, but we'll definitely be determined to come out of Easter Road a win, definitely.”
Easter Road experience still special
Hibs were knocked out of the Europa League in the second qualifying round after a heart-breaking extra time loss to Midtjylland in the second leg at Easter Road. But O’Hora says the sheer passion generated by fans on that brutal night in Edinburgh gives players hope.
“The European experience has been so special so far,” he said. “Even though we lost to Midtjylland, it was still a special night for us as players – because of the fans.
“The atmosphere they generate, the support we’ve had, it’s amazing. I can’t fault the supporters one bit for what they’ve given us already this season.
“Even look at the reception we got after being two up and drawing 2-2 against Kilmarnock. That’s nobody’s idea of an ideal result. But the reception we got at the end of the game was still second none.
“That’s credit to the fans who have stood by us all through last season. They turn out every week for us.
“And the start of this season, the way it happened, it's been remarkable for us, and it's been very, very nice to see. They’re such a big part of what we’re trying to do.”
Hibs boss Gray made just three changes to his starting XI for yesterday’s game, with Jack Iredale, Martin Boyle and Chris Cadden rested, although all three came on. Grant Hanley made his first appearance for Hibs, while Junior Hoilett and Elie Youan both started.
Addressing the need for players to step up as Hibs try to negotiate the Sunday-Thursday-Sunday carousel that puts such a strain on clubs trying to qualify for the league phases of European football, O’Hora confessed: “Yeah, obviously it's hard mentally. But we've got a big squad for it.
“It's a reward of what we achieved last year. This is the reward of it. So it's what we all wanted.
“Mentally, obviously, it's tough. Physically, no doubt, it's tough. But you've seen we had some changes against Kilmarnock – and for 44 minutes in the first half, we were amazing.
“The gaffer obviously has a couple of headaches because of that. Everybody trusts us as a squad to come in and do the job.
“But there was just a little bit of sloppiness against Killie. Probably let ourselves down a bit. And yeah, frustrated with not taking the three points.
“Dropping points at home is never ideal. But it's something that we won't be doom and gloom over. We'll pick ourselves up, no doubt, and move on to Thursday.
“The gaffer is very good at picking up on what went wrong. The staff as well behind him. They see things in the pitch that maybe we don't. And one thing I will say is they ask us. How did it feel and what do we think? So we'll definitely be transparent in that aspect.
“You learn a lot in football. You either win or you learn, and that's the way it goes.
“Look, like I said, Killie came out in the second half and made it difficult for us. Just aspects we could be better with, we'll learn from them. And yeah, we'll put that away. Look at the positives, look at the negatives, and we'll go and move on.
Hibs branded ‘unplayable’ - for 44 minutes
“After the game, we were mostly just frustrated and tired, aye. Yeah, so frustrated more than anything.
“I think first half we were unplayable. I think we were very, very good. And then obviously we go in 2-1 up, which was a little bit disheartening because, in my eyes, Kilmarnock didn't really have anything in the game. So we gave them a lifeline.
“Credit to them. They came out in the second half, came out firing and made it difficult for us. But I think the second half we were sloppy at times. The quality wasn't where the standard has been over the last couple of games in the second half. But look, it's something that we need to address - and we'll look at.
“We've got a quick turnaround now for Thursday. Big game for us and one we're all looking forward to. But we'll come in and go through what we think we can do better with.”
Scotland defender a welcome addition
Hanley was eased into his new team on the left side of a back three, allowing Iredale to drop to the bench. The Aussie replaced the experienced Scotland international with just over half an hour remaining, by which point Killie had drawn level with their hosts.
“Yeah, he's a great guy, you know,” said O’Hora, the former MK Dons captain – handed the Hibs armband until Boyle came off the bench – adding: “He's come in and obviously he's very experienced.
“Look, he played against Killie, it was nice to get minutes into his legs and didn't put a foot wrong for us. So obviously he played on the left side, you know, to give Jack a bit of a break, but I thought he was brilliant. He's been brilliant since he came in. You know, he's a great addition to the squad.
“He's a big boy as well, isn't he? Some size! And it's nice to have that experience as well. Another Dwight Gayle, as you say, to bounce things off.”