Hibernian dey prepare for a very aggressive and very intense Malisheva side for Conference League qualifying, according to head coach David Gray. The Edinburgh club go begin their quest for the league phase on Thursday afternoon against the Superleague of Kosovo runners-up for Pristina.
Malisheva wey just form 10 years ago win their first-ever European tie to reach this stage when they shock Vllaznia of Albania 6-2 on aggregate after a 5-0 home win. Gray say, “Watching the last leg, they thoroughly deserved to go through. They are very aggressive, very intense, and I expect that again. We need to be ready for that and I think it’ll be a real tough test for us coming away to experience a different style of football, but one the players are ready for.”
Hibs reach Conference League play-off round last season before losing late to Legia Warsaw. They later finish fifth for Scottish Premiership to secure European football for consecutive seasons for the first time in 50 years. Now the target na to become the first Hibs side to play for group or league stage of a major European competition.
Gray add, “I’m happy with where the squad is physically. I know we’ll get stronger, but it’s making sure that you go into this game knowing you need to be at your very best. If there’s any sort of complacency at all, you will certainly be punished at this level.”
New signing Callum Wright, former Plymouth Argyle midfielder, and forward Ante Suto go miss the first leg but fit be available for next week’s return at Easter Road. Midfielder Jamie McGrath and wide man Nicky Cadden dey out with calf injuries, with Cadden expected to miss the next few weeks. Forward Martin Boyle dey fit after coming off during Saturday’s friendly win against Brondby.
Thursday’s hosts wey just form for 2016 start for the nation’s fourth tier and secure top-flight football for the first time for 2021. After consolidating with mid-table finishes, Malisheva finish third two seasons ago and second last term, seven points behind champions Drita. This be their third season trying to qualify for Conference League, after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Buducnost Podgorica of Montenegro for 2024 after a 1-0 home win. Last season, they lose 9-0 over two legs to Vikingur Reykjavik following an 8-0 drubbing for Iceland.
However, their dismissal of Vllaznia for the last round na statement of greater intent from the Kosovan side wey dey play the tie for Pristina, one hour away from their home ground. Winger Kreshnik Uka, wey follow new head coach Thomas Brdaric from top-flight rivals Drenica this summer, score twice for that victory and go pose threat to Hibs, after hitting 19 goals last season for Kosovo top-flight. Goalkeeper Adnan Kanuric, wey play for Austria’s second tier with Austria Klagenfurt last season and be one of the other six summer signings, come through the youth ranks with Stoke City and also dey on the books at Nottingham Forest. However, the 25-year-old only first-team experience for England na on loan to Grantham Town and Oxford City and dey on the bench for Malisheva against Vllaznia. Former Cologne, Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg striker Brdaric take over last month after consolidating newly promoted Drenica’s place for Kosovan top flight with a sixth-place finish.
