Gray Proud Despite UEFA Europa League Exit
Hibernian FC Head Coach David Gray was proud of his players’ efforts despite a 2-1 defeat against Danish side FC Midtjylland in extra-time.
His Hibees went toe-to-toe with the UEFA Champions League regulars, but a 119thoverhead kick from Júnior Brumado saw us exit the UEFA Europa League in the second qualifying round.
Hibs’ European journey isn’t over, though, as we will now face Partizan Belgrade in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
When speaking after the game, David Gray described his immediate feelings.
“I’ve got real mixed emotions. I hate losing more than anyone else in the world, and I will never accept losing games of football. Saying that, I can’t ask the players for any more than what they’ve given me over the 210 minutes against a Champions League team from last season.
“I’ve just reminded the players again that they gave me everything to a man. I’m proud of their effort, organisation, and bravery that they showed tonight as well.
“The manner of the goal at the very end makes it even tougher to take. It’s taken three spectacular efforts across the two games to change our European campaign. I have also reminded the players that, that now we have to go a different way.
“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have to get ourselves in a position to face Dundee because that’s a completely different challenge.”
The atmosphere inside Easter Road was one to remember, and the over 18,500 Hibs fans made their feelings clear at full-time, full of praise for the David Gray’s men.
“It was a fantastic occasion, which was shadowed with their goal at the end, but the fans were a massive driving force. I asked them to be the 12th man, and they certainly were. The atmosphere was fantastic, it really spurred the team on in difficult times, and I thought the players looked strong in the game.
“We will need the fans to travel up to Dundee, and I’m sure they will in their numbers, and to get behind the team again.”
Hibs have a short turnaround now to Sunday as we start our William Hill Premiership campaign against Dundee at Dens Park.
Gray admitted he will have to pick the players up ahead of that one.
“The players gave absolutely everything tonight. To lose at the end makes it tough to take, and the players aren’t robots, and they can’t switch that off. My job, and the staff’s job, is to make sure we get them recovered as quick as they can, and remind them of the level they’ve played at and competed against.
“We want to start the league campaign well; we are playing in European because of our domestic form last season.
“We will recover the players quickly and get them ready for Dundee.”