Hibernian

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• This will be Alfred Johansson's first league game in charge of Motherwell. Just two of the Steelmen's last seven managers (including caretakers) have won their first league match (losing three of them), Steven Hammell beating St Mirren 1-0 in July 2022 and Stuart Kettlewell beating the same side 2-1 in February 2023.

• Motherwell have only won their league opener in one of the last nine seasons (losing four times), beating St Mirren 1-0 in 2022-23.

• Hibernian have won their opening game in seven of the last nine Scottish Premiership seasons (losing the other two), although they have lost on the opening day in two of the last three.

• Motherwell won away to Hibs 1-0 on the final day of last season. The Steelmen are therefore looking to successive away league wins over Hibs for the first time since August 2013 – when the second win was on the opening day of the season.

• Hibs have won three of the last four occasions they have faced Motherwell on the opening day of a league season (losing the other), including both of the last two: 3-0 in 2018-19, and 3-2 in 2021-22.

Hibernian dominated Malisheva at Easter Road to wipe out last week's first-leg defeat in Kosovo and set up a Conference League third qualifying round tie against Shkendija of North Macedonia.

Read the match report here.

Have your say on the result here.

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Hibernian head coach David Gray: "The start is what I really want to focus on - the reaction.

"We spoke about the intensity we want to play at, the intent from the start to play forward, run forward and get the crowd behind us.

"I saw it in training and they fully deserved to win tonight. We should have been out of sight, we hit the woodwork a couple of times and missed three or four big chances.

"That goal at the end made it a little bit edgy but at the same time, they deserved what they got tonight. Delighted for them.

"We've got real good options [up front]. I've always spoken about being flexible. Nathan Lowe brings a focal point and the front three were all very good tonight.

"It's now a case of we're in the next round and can take that momentum into the opening league game against Motherwell.

"We're ready for Thursday-Sunday-Thursday - that's what everything in pre-season has been geared up for.

"It's different for a coach winning games to being a player. Relief kicks in and then it's the next game. You enjoy it for two minutes and then onto the next one."

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Hibernian's "history of overturning a poor first leg in the second one" could prove crucial in Thursday's Conference League second qualifying round tie at home to Malisheva, according to women's team head coach, Joelle Murray.

The Kosovan side head to Leith with a 2-0 lead from last week's first leg and Murray says it is crucial that Hibs start on the front foot to get the home fans on side.

"I know the Easter Road crowd can be unforgiving at times," she told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "So I think forward passes, penetrating passes and just really playing with that intent from the very first whistle is important.

"With an early goal, that should hopefully see them progress. They've obviously got history of overturning a poor first leg in the second one.

"So hopefully we can replicate that this evening with a similar result and a really good performance."

Murray is disappointed that wing back Nicky Cadden, new signing Callum Wright and midfielder Jamie McGrath will again be missing through injury.

However, striker Ante Suto could return.

"Another attacking player is good because that's what we need from the get-go, getting on the front foot, getting an early goal," Murray added.

"So if we can get Suto in the squad, whether it be starting or having his impact from the bench, but also having Martin Boyle, Owen Elding on the pitch, could be vital."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger was in the stands at Tynecastle on Tuesday to see rivals Hearts knocked out of the Champions League. Now he is determined to ensure his side don't suffer European embarrassment.

Hearts' 2-0 home defeat to Sturm Graz completed a 6-0 aggregate hammering - their worst ever two-legged European scoreline.

Sallinger's full focus is now on trying to overturn Hibs' 2-0 deficit against Kosovan minnows Malisheva at Easter Road in Thursday night's second leg of their Conference League qualifier.

The Austrian said: "My missus actually works for Sturm Graz as a nutritionist so it was obviously clear for me to go and watch her at Tynecastle.

"She's not over in Scotland very often. She'll be at our game tomorrow as well to support me.

"Sturm are a very good team. Of course there were a few conversations when we knew they were playing Hearts, but only about small details, nothing special. I'm happy for them that they went through."

Sallinger admits there is still lingering disappointment from Hibs' first-leg defeat, but insists they have the character to put things right.

"We as a group spoke about a lot of things which went wrong in that game. There are clearly things we can improve on, but we've worked very well this week," he said.

"These are the moments where you can see what character is in this team and we will show that character tomorrow.

"It doesn't matter which side we're playing against. The main target is getting through to the third round of the Conference League.

"We have to make sure we win tomorrow. We don't want to look back too much on the last game. All we can do is look forward and try to change things around."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibernian head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to welcome Malisheva in the second leg of their Conference League qualifier.

Here are the main points:

• Gray says there are "no excuses" after last week's 2-0 first-leg defeat in Kosovo but feels he has seen a good reaction from the players in training.

• He admits: "We were below the level required [last week] and we need to be far better in every area to make sure we turn it around."

• But the Hibs boss stresses "it is only half-time in the tie, we can still turn it around", adding: "I fully believe we can and so do the players".

• Gray has urged the crowd to play their part: "Some of the best nights I've experienced as a coach and a player are at home at Easter Road with the fans right behind you."

• And he stresses "the players are determined to try and turn this around", admitting "no one enjoys results and performances like that, you saw the frustration from the fans and rightly so but everyone is looking for that reaction, none more so than the players themselves."

• Gray "expects movement both ways [in and out]" before the end of the window, but if players move on "it has to be right for everyone".

• Team news: Ante Suto could be available but is facing "a race against time" to be fit.

Matty Fairnie
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

I think we'll be top six but short of where the club's ambitions are, which would be a top-four finish. Having watched some of our pre-season matches and a shambolic away tie in Europe, it doesn't look like we have addressed the issues that made our style of play so beige last season. We'll do well enough to not be in any bother but we won't trouble the teams at the top of the league. It'll be a depressingly uneventful season.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

So far, and putting his glaring misses in Europe to one side just now, I'm most excited by the loan signing of Nathan Lowe from Stoke. It's a shame that he is only with us for the season as he looks like a real threat in front of goal.

What do you want from your manager this season?

I want David Gray to take the shackles off the team. We ended last season really struggling to create chances in games or really dominate the opposition. I'd love Gray to do something transformative with the team and completely shift from the style we've seen from him so far.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

Owen Elding is the player I expect to see have the most attention this season. He shone when he featured last season and at only 20 he has a very bright future in front of him. I think Hibs did a great bit of business securing his signature and I hope he features a lot this season.

What is your one major concern?

My biggest worry is that we haven't addressed the issues of last season. Already this term we've conceded a last-minute goal, which was a constant thorn in our side last season, and on the basis of the European game last week, the football on offer was awful. Gray has shown that he's more than capable of producing effective football but the fallout from the support in the wake of the embarrassing European defeat shows that even if we progress in the tie, his coat's on a shoogly peg already and a poor start to the league campaign, even if we do progress in this European tie, will see the noise grow and his position may become untenable.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast, external

Malisheva manager Thomas Brdaric believes Hibernian did not adequately prepare for the Kosovan club's hybrid pitch as the Easter Road side lost 2-0 in Thursday's Conference League second qualifying round first-leg defeat. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jackson Thomson, 16, son of former Dundee, Hibernian, Rangers and Scotland midfielder Kevin, has signed his first professional contract with Hibs. (Sun, external)

Manager Thomas Brdaric says Malisheva "need a strategy" to complete victory over Hibernian at Easter Road in the Conference League second qualifying round, having opened up a 2-0 first-leg advantage. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required, external)

Monday's Scottish gossip

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland in Pristina

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Left-back Jordan Obita says Hibernian can overhaul the two-goal deficit against Malisheva with the backing of fans at Easter Road.

The Kosovan side embarrassed Hibs in Pristina by claiming a 2-0 victory in the first leg of their Conference League second qualifying round tie.

But Obita, who was part of the side who defeated Inter Club d'Escaldes 6-1 after a shock 2-1 defeat in Andorra three years ago, says the tie can be turned around with the help of supporters.

"We need the fans like they are at home - very behind us," Obita said.

"As long as we're playing and doing our part, they will do theirs too. We always know that our games away from home and at home are completely different. So next week we need to be on fire from the beginning.

"As long as we start like we do normally, especially last week against Brondby, we can probably shock them too.

"How we can start, come out the blocks firing from the get-go. And hopefully we can do that. If we get a goal early, then anything can happen."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland in Pristina

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Captain Martin Boyle says Hibernian are braced for a "negative week" after the embarrassment of defeat by FC Malisheva on Thursday.

Some fans berated the squad as they left the stadium in Pristina, after Hibs recorded one of their worst ever results against the Kosovan minnows.

Boyle believes the team can turn the 2-0 deficit around at Easter Road next week, but knows there will continue to be fierce criticism after such a poor start to the season.

"We'll take what will come our way," Boyle said. "We know it's going to be a negative week, but only us as players can turn it around.

"We certainly believe in what the manager is doing, which has got us in this position over the last two years.

"We have no choice but to turn this around. So we'll take what comes this week, and it'll be a real test of character next week."

Asked if Boyle understood some fans' anger, the forward said: "One hundred per cent. They've spent a lot of money to come here. Two flights, I believe, no direct flights.

"They're entitled to their opinion. If I was in their position, I'd probably be a little bit angry too. They're entitled to it. They can certainly show that.

"And like I say, hopefully they're back in next week. We can get a positive turnout and get the result that we want and get through the next round."

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Hibernian's European disappointment will be "instantly forgotten about" if they manage to get a big result when they welcome Malisheva to Easter Road next week.

David Gray's side were beaten 2-0 in Kosovo on Thursday afternoon in the first leg of the Conference League second qualifying round, in one of the Edinburgh club's worst ever results.

But former Celtic and Motherwell striker Cillian Sheridan is urging fans to wait until the conclusion of next week's game in Leith before making any judgements about Gray and the season ahead.

"I've been going back in my head to where I think you have to judge them at the end of the two games," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"If you go back to Brendan Rodgers' first game at Celtic, he's lost to Lincoln Red Imps [in Champions League qualifying] and then goes on and has one of Celtic's best seasons.

"Yes, they're due criticism for losing a game like that, but I think overall you have to wait and fully judge them at the end of the tie. Because Hibs could come home and win four or five nil, and then that result is instantly forgotten about."

Sheridan, who played in Cyprus with Apoel Nicosia and Omonia Nicosia, recalls playing European games in the afternoons in the height of summer, and how difficult it made the conditions.

"Malisheva will have wanted to make the conditions as tough as they could for Hibs," he added.

"You used to have it a few years ago in Cyprus when if you get drawn with a Scandinavian team or something like that, the clubs would always try and have the games a little bit earlier in the day for the heat and take advantage of it."

Hibs fans, we asked for your views after Thursday's defeat to Malisheva in Conference League qualifying.

Here's what some of you had to say:

David: Worst performance from a Hibs team I have seen in 45 years of supporting them, every player was a 1/10. The manager has to go, his job was to get the players ready and he failed again.

Sandy: As Arnie [Schwarzenegger] once said "we'll be back". We have to suspect that's the worst performance of the season out the way now. It's half time in the tie and there has to be a positive result in the second leg or David Gray could well be in trouble.

Tom: I live in Australia and have been following Hibs for 70 years, it's the same old story - full of promise but can't deliver. Sick of hearing David Gray saying it is his problem to fix. After a great European effort last season let's hope we can find three goals at least at Easter Road and get back on track, and get a decent team together to challenge for the league.

James: Time for a new manager. David Gray is a nice man but not dynamic or ruthless enough to be a manager. If he stays Hibs are doomed to mediocrity.

Paddy: Turgid garbage. Gray is not up to the job of motivating this bunch of players enough to beat a team of amateurs. Time for managerial change.

Graeme: An utter disaster of a performance. A team that will struggle to finish top six in the Premiership under this Gray management. So dour and slow. Eye-bleeding to watch.