Hibs secure UEFA Conference League progress with professional performance - ratings and report from Skopje

When professionalism, discipline and tactical nous were all needed to get the job done, Hibs stood up and met the challenge head on. And David Gray’s men now stand just two games from making yet more history, after securing progress to the UEFA Conference League play-offs on a steamy night in Skopje.

Leading 2-1 from their first leg at home, the Easter Road side played out a nil-nil draw with KF Shkendija to win their third qualifying round tie and set up a play-off against Belgian side Gent for a place in the league phase. In truth, although they had to cope with a late flurry of activity from their hosts at the National Arena Todor Proeski, the Scots had this game in their grasp for most of the 90 minutes.

Playing two up front to carry a threat, with Nathan Lowe leading the line in thunderous fashion, they might well have bagged a goal to widen their aggregate advantage. But that wasn’t needed. And this was all about doing the necessary.

With Callum Wright handed a full debut, Gray juggling his squad and leaving Martin Boyle on the bench, Owen Elding and Lowe were expected to carry the majority of the threat for the visitors. But, of course, the real priority was to keep themselves ahead in the tie.

They gave up an early half chance, Almir Kryeziu pulling a shot wide from the edge of the box after just three minutes. But Lowe had an effort of his own blocked midway through the first half, the big No. 9 running onto a through ball from Elding and getting a sight on goal, albeit under pressure.

And the visitors gradually began to exert more control over the contest as half-time approached, pressing to good effect and forcing Shkendija into uncomfortably tight corners. An Adam Mayor low cross was scooped behind by a grateful defender just happy to clear the ball, with green jerseys lining up to put it in the net, while Elding was unlucky to see a shot deflected wide after a nice little slipped pass from Felix Passlack into the inside right channel.

With the Hibs back four looking more than comfortable with anything the home side threw at them, Gray would have been content with his team’s efforts at the break. Still just a goal head, they looked like a team carrying out a very effective plan.

Lowe smashed a shot straight at the home keeper when played through by Elding early in the second half; that was a chance to kill this tie stone dead. Elding was inches away from connecting with another low Mayor cross just moments later, too.

The chances kept coming for Hibs as they squeezed and stretched the home sides, Elding again guilty of failing to convert a golden opportunity as Wright played him through the middle, the young striker shooting straight at the goalie.

Shkendija were always going to be forced into a change of approach and tempo. And Hibs had to withstand a flurry or two of activity – plus a genuine heart-in-mouth moment when Fahd Ndzengue fired wide from the edge of the box with time and space to pick his spot.

Fabrice Tamba had a glorious chance, too, as the North Macedonians inevitably threw bodies and balls into the box in the closing stages. A team with better finishing might have caused Hibs all sorts of bother.

Yet Gray going to his bench saw Shkendija being put under pressure themselves, as Martin Boyle’s pace and Jamie McGrath’s invention demonstrated the extra edge possessed by the visitors. They’ll need that in their next challenge.

For now, the Hibs fans who celebrated at the end of a long, hot day can dream of that challenge. And, who knows, maybe even further adventures to come …