Hibernian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jason Kerr believes a clean sheet away to Shkendija can provide the platform Hibernian to reach the league stage of the Conference League.

Hibs drew 0-0 in sweltering conditions in Skopje, progressing 2-1 on aggregate to reach the play-off round for the second successive season, with Belgian side Gent their seeded opponents.

"It's going to take a lot, but I'm fully confident in the players we've got in the dressing room," said Kerr. "There's a lot of quality and I think we can do it.

"Getting the clean sheet as well, first of the season, we'll take confidence from that, especially as defenders.

"It was a completely different game from the first leg. We had to ride our luck a little bit. We made a good few blocks, a lot of defensive actions.

"It was not the best game to watch, but, when you're ahead in the tie, you take that all day. Getting through is all that really matters."

Hibs had to cope with temperatures of around 30C at kick-off, but Kerr believes the incentive of moving one step closer to European league stage football for the first time helped players overcome the conditions.

"It wasn't as hot as I thought it would be, to be fair," said the 29-year-old. "It was humid and it does drain you, but the thought of getting through to the next round gives you that extra bit of motivation and determination.

"I think all the lads felt that in the last 10 minutes. Putting our bodies on the line at times, I just felt like we deserved that."

Before their European campaign resumes in Belgium next Thursday, Hibs turn their attention Sunday's Premier Sports Cup tie with Partick Thistle at Easter Road.

"We're two games away from a semi-final, potentially," added Kerr. "So it's a massive game and that's us three unbeaten now. We need to keep that run going and get through in another cup competition.

"It'll be a tough game. I know Partick Thistle have done well the past couple of years, so we won't be taking them lightly. But I think that's one we can get past as well."

Hibs fans, we asked for your views after Thursday night's goalless draw against Shkendija in North Macedonia booked a spot in the Conference League play-off.

Here's what some of you said:

Calum: Job done. Not pretty but a clean sheet away in Europe is nothing to be sniffed at.

John: Well done Hibs, not the best of games to watch but who cares. Getting to the play-offs is all that counted. I feel the team were never in any danger, Shkendija played better at Easter Road.

Kenny: A great result following on from the win against Rangers at the weekend. David Gray now needs to have more faith that we can beat teams around us without resorting to the defensive tactics that we seem to deploy in the Premiership. The fans will get behind the manager and the team if we can play off the the front foot and stop losing goals when we give the ball away just outside the 18-yard box. The players are there, no good being too negative.

A Graham: Gray says Shkendija were a really good side, they were awful and we played at their level over the tie with poor passing. We were lacklustre up front and our record signing can't get a game. Hopefully some more signings to come as I'm struggling to see improvements in the ones we have so far. Hopefully we'll click into gear as the Rangers game seems the exception to the norm right now.

Neil: Well done Hibs, not pretty but a professional job. Let's hope we can get over this last hurdle and into the next stage for the first time.

Eddie: Really poor football. Nearly every second ball is brought away by the opposition. Almost every long ball from goal, and nearly every throw in gives possession away. Random headers into the sky give possession away. Nobody in green and white seems to be able to control a ball when it arrives to feet. Only consolation, the other team were worse.

Hibernian progressed to the Conference League play-offs with a gritty goalless draw against Shkendija in sweltering Skopje.

Read the match report here.

Have your say here.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "I'm delighted for the players. A brilliant time to get our first clean sheet of the season.

"Don't underestimate how big an achievement that is against a really good side.

"It wasn't a brilliant game, but bodies on the line and our players stepped up. A really positive win, especially off the back of Sunday.

"We found a way to get through and I'm delighted for the players - they thoroughly deserve it.

"First half there wasn't much in it, it was a flat game. Our shape was good and we restricted them to very little.

"Over the course of the two legs, I don't think anyone could say we don't deserve to go through.

"The players have earned the right to have another go at the play-offs.

"You see the strength of the squad with the players coming off the bench. We've had a brilliant start to the season.

"The important thing now is to recover the players, cool them down, and they can be proud of what they've achieved."

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Hibernian will demand a fee in excess of £4m before agreeing to sell Miguel Chaiwa and are in no rush to part with the Zimbabwe midfielder. The Herald, external

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland in North Macedonia

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Jamie McGrath says Hibernian are determined to make history by becoming the first Easter Road side to reach the league phase of a major European competition.

Hibs lead Shkendija 2-1 before Thursday's Conference League third qualifying round second leg, with a play-off round to follow for the winners of the tie - the last round before the league phase.

"No Hibs team's got European group-stage football yet so that's obviously a burning ambition," McGrath, 29, told BBC Scotland.

"I think it'll be a bit of a different game. Hopefully, we can come out with the same result and get into that next round, one step away from where we want to be.

"The longer that we have these experiences as a group, we'll definitely be stronger."

McGrath missed the first leg but featured as a substitute in Sunday's 2-1 Scottish Premiership win at Rangers.

"I'm ready to go, raring to go probably a bit ahead of schedule," he explained.

"I'm delighted to be back for the European games and hopefully there's many more to come. We want to have more trips like this and we want to reward those fans coming over here.

"We don't want this to be the end of the journey, we want it to be only the start of it.

"Hopefully, it'll cool down a bit. It will be similar for both sides. They're used to playing here in the heat and conditions like that so we'll have to factor it in. Hopefully, it won't be too much of a distraction for us."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland in North Macedonia

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Hibernian head coach David Gray has spoken to BBC Scotland before Thursday's Conference League third qualifying round second leg against hosts Shkendija in North Macedonia.

Here are the key points.

• Neither Grant Hanley nor Nicky Cadden are with the squad in North Macedonia. Martin Boyle has travelled and trained on the pitch after missing the weekend win over Rangers.

• Gray remains confident his players can cope with the intense heat and the opposition as they aim to make the play-off round of the Conference League.

• The head coach hopes the team take confidence from the weekend win at Ibrox and their away performances last season in Europe, saying the players "should be feeling good about themselves".

• Gray insists Shkendija showed in last week's first leg at Easter Road they can be dangerous and are not to be taken lightly. He expects the hosts to be "a bit more aggressive".

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Shkendija will aim to make a fast start in intense heat on Thursday, says head coach Artim Pollozhani, as the North Macedonian side look to wipe out Hibernian's first-leg advantage.

David Gray's men take a narrow 2-1 Conference League qualifying lead with them to Skopje and travel buoyed by a late victory at Rangers on Sunday.

"Hibs start the game with an advantage so we want to score early," says the Shkendija boss. "One goal and we will equalise and then try to close the game in 90 minutes.

"The psychological part will be very important. We want to be in the next round, we want to repeat the success of last season in Europe."

Shkendija qualified for the Conference League last term and made it through the league phase before being dumped out by Turkish side Samsunspor in the first knockout round.

Despite that, Pollozhani believes it is difficult to compare his side with Hibs because he considers the Scottish Premiership to be a stronger league than North Macedonia's top flight.

"The Scottish league is a high level, we can't compare it to ours," he said. "What we saw in the Hibs game against Rangers, they used different players in attack.

"The championship is a marathon but European games are about elimination. Maybe the coach believed in the players who played that game or maybe he wanted to save the ones on the bench for this game?

"What you saw is they have a lot of quality. They are very well prepared physically and tactically. So if we don't fight in every part of the pitch we won't achieve our aim."

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

David Gray took a massive risk at Ibrox with a team selection that hinted heavily at prioritising our Conference League fixture on Thursday over one of the most difficult away games in the league.

He brought in several players from the cold, notably Ante Suto, Thibault Klidje, Josh Campbell and Kanyo Megwa, raising more than a few eyebrows among the Hibs support.

But the gaffer's brave choice was vindicated with a battling performance from a Hibs side that won away to Rangers for the third successive season for the first time in our history.

Gray has made a habit of breaking unwanted records - Sunday was also the first time Rangers manager Derek McInnes had lost a home game to Hibs.

We looked every bit the well-coached, motivated team Gray's critics have suggested we are not.

To a man the players stood up to be counted for Gray - this was the performance Hibs fans have been waiting for. We weren't swashbuckling or dominant with possession, but we fought for everything and when chances came, we were clinical.

I've long said Gray needs more time. He can point to the availability of Jamie McGrath and Suto as a sign his squad is getting closer to its best. With Nicky Cadden still to return, things are looking much rosier for Gray in the wake of this win.

A final mention for young Owen Elding. Brought on with just minutes remaining, he showed composure beyond his years to bring a calmness to proceedings and set Hibs on our way to the crucial attack that won the match.

The 20-year-old forward is one to watch this season and Gray should be looking to build his team around him.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Watch the Sportscene panel discuss Callum Wright's late goal, and Owen Elding's part in making it happen, which helped Hibs secure a 2-1 victory against Rangers at Ibrox.

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Hibernian's Conference League opponents FK Shkendija were 2-0 winners away to Vardar in the North Macedonian top flight at the weekend.

The victory means Shkendija are second in the league on goal difference after two league games.

Hibs beat Shkendija 2-1 at Easter Road on Thursday in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie as they prepare to travel for the return leg this week.

Should Hibs progress to the Conference League play-off, they will face either IFK Goteborg or Gent.

The former defeated Kalmar 3-2 in their domestic league to move up to 10th in the Allsvenskan after 16 games. Gent also won at the weekend beating Mechelen 2-0 in the opening game of the Belgian Pro League season.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

Made eight saves as Hibs held on for another win over Rangers at Ibrox.

Kanayo Megwa - Hibernian

Played a big part in a strong, steady victorious showing at Ibrox.

Auston Trusty - Celtic

Superb block on the line as the American kept things tight at the back for Celtic.

Owen Bevan - Dundee

You don't have to be called Bevan to do well for Dundee, but it clearly helps. Strong showing at the back.

Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell

More often than not makes an impact down the left for the Steelmen.

Joe Bevan - Dundee

Looked impressive at times against Celtic and took it to a new level against Aberdeen with a goal and assist.

Tom Renaud - Hearts

His laser-guided rocket reminded me of Ally McCoist at Euro '96. To be fair, Renaud's was even better.

Killian Phillips - St Mirren

Suddenly the main man for the Buddies. Loved his no-nonsense one-step penalty.

Josh McPake - Hearts

Scored a fine goal, linking up with Claudio Braga. Shining on the Tynecastle stage after his heroics for St Johnstone.

Kasper Hogh - Celtic

An ebullient, winning personality and the Celtic fans have a new hero after the £11m man netted a hat-rick and looked an all round class act.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Ran out of superlatives for his contribution last season, and was back to his best against Dundee United with a goal and two assists.

Hibs fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's 2-1 victory against Rangers at Ibrox.

Here's what some of you said:

Kieran: This is what happens when you make positive changes throughout a match. David Gray got his subs spot on, minus Felix Passlack's moment of madness which he then makes up for. We aren't asking for world class football every week but that performance has to be the benchmark moving forward.

Scott: Organised, resilient and dangerous on the break - much more like it. I thought Gray had blown it with the three subs as to me it just invited pressure but we hung in there and took our chance. A positive result midweek in Europe would top everything off nicely.

John: Outstanding performances from our back four and Callum Wright got Passlack out of jail. I agree with Gray we have to utilise the whole squad and once they all gel we'll be a force to be reckoned with.

Aidan: You felt that Hibs just needed one more opportunity to get a smash and grab winner from the game. Fair play not buckling when it went 1-1 and after losing a late goal last Sunday to then win the next two games by scoring late on shows a shift in character which I hope continues.

Finn: Super performance off the ball, punished Rangers in the little moments. The result brings momentum into a really important couple of weeks for Hibs.

Alan: Perhaps the supporters continually calling for a change of manager will get off David Gray's back. Sunday was tough on the players and we should be proud of them and the management team for the way they defended, attacked and played for the club and each other.

Genoa have expressed an interest in 23-year-old Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan. (Sky Sports, external)

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Derek McInnes' wait for his first win as Rangers manager goes on after Hibernian claimed back-to-back Scottish Premiership wins at Ibrox and their third win there in as many seasons thanks to Callum Wright's late breakaway goal.

Read the match report here.

Have your say here.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray tells Premier Sports: "Rangers put us under severe pressure for the second half, the character was really tested but we made an attacking substitution to try and have that mentality of not just sitting in even with the Rangers pressure.

"[The winning goal] was a brilliant moment. I'm delighted for the players because we made a lot of changes and the players that came in did really well, it builds that character.

"The type of game suits Josh Mulligan. To a man I think it would be difficult to single anyone out because they were all so good.

"I've been through adversity at the start. The demands and expectations are always going to be there. The biggest thing is sticking together as a group. Internally we know we're in a good place, there's more to come."

Neil Farrugia's absence from recent Dundee United games was planned as he manages his way back from groin trouble. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Sunday's Scottish gossip

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin believes Hibernian are trending in the right direction under head coach David Gray. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required, external)

Sunday's Scottish gossip

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• Rangers lost their last league meeting with Hibernian 1-2 at Ibrox in May but have not lost successive top-flight matches against Hibs since November 2005 under Alex McLeish.

• Hibernian have won two of their past three league visits to Rangers (L1) and could win successive trips in the top-flight for just the fourth time, previously doing so in September 1902, October 1985, and February 2018.

• There have been 35 goals scored in Rangers' past seven league games at Ibrox, an average of five per game. Their most recent game was a 2-1 defeat by Hibs in May – they have never lost consecutive home league games against the same team both times. They last duplicated the same result and opponent in April/August 1990, back-to-back wins against Dunfermline Athletic.

• The past six results in Hibernian's Scottish Premiership matches have been away wins – they have lost four home games and won their two away games in this streak. The last side to have a longer run was Rangers between February and April 2025 (7), with the seventh game in that run ending Rangers 0-2 Hibernian.

• Thelo Aasgaard has scored in each of his past three Premiership appearances for Rangers – the last Ibrox player with a longer streak was Cyriel Dessers in April and May 2025 (5 in a row).