Hibernian head coach David Gray says overcoming Gent and reaching the Conference League proper would be "one of the most memorable nights in the club's history".

The sides meet at Easter Road on Thursday, with the score 0-0 from last week's first leg in Belgium.

No Hibs team has previously reached a group stage or league phase in European competition.

"It's one of the biggest games since I've been here in terms of what's at stake for the football club and the rewards and the benefits that the players, the club, the ownership deserve off the back of what we've been doing for the last couple of seasons," said Gray.

"I'm pretty sure this will be one of the most memorable nights in the club's history if we can go and achieve group stage football.

"We need that cup final mentality and attitude going into the game, we need to try and use the home advantage with that, because very rarely do you have a cup final sort of atmosphere at home, in your own stadium."

Hibs lost 5-4 on aggregate to Legia Warsaw in last year's play-off round.

"I certainly wouldn't want them to reminisce on that feeling of how close we came and never quite made it but we have to take belief from it," added Gray.

"We were behind in the tie [after the first leg] and we lost the first goal of the night as well, so it was a real test of character but the level of performance we put in that night and how close we actually came does show you the strength of the group.

"Some of the players have been involved in that and everyone just wants to take it that one step forward.

"We've been to some big places and put in big results and it's going to take another huge performance to get the result, but I think we're good enough to go and do it."

Should Hibs get the better of Gent, six games in the Conference League beckon.

"It's something that the club's been set up towards for the last couple of seasons, really pushing towards," said Gray.

"I know the owner [Ian Gordon] is desperate to try and see his team playing in Europe.

"He has that ambition, to see his team play in Europe and perform at the highest level and at this moment in time this is the highest level we can possibly play at so we need to try and make it last as long as we can."

Forward Owen Elding, who had a penalty saved in the first leg, is an injury doubt for Hibs.