David Gray Prepares Hibernian for Europa Conference League Play-off Against Legia Warsaw
David Gray has stated that the financial implications of advancing in the Europa Conference League make the upcoming matches against Legia Warsaw the most significant challenge he has faced since taking over as Hibernian manager.
The first leg will take place at Easter Road on Thursday, followed by a return match in Warsaw next week.
Gray emphasized the team's focus on these matches, noting that the pathway to European football until Christmas became clearer after a successful conclusion to the previous season.
Despite a rocky start to the 2024-25 season, Hibs rebounded with a remarkable performance in the latter half, ultimately finishing in third place.
After suffering a defeat to Midtjylland in the second qualifying round of the Europa League, Hibs dropped into the third qualifying round of the Conference League, where they secured a victory over Partizan Belgrade.
Gray reflected on the uncertainty surrounding their European campaign, stating, "We were unsure about what our European journey would look like, especially after the cup results. We knew it would take a significant effort to reach this stage. From day one of pre-season, I challenged the players to qualify for the group stage, something that has never been achieved at this club. Can we create history?"
He continued, "The challenges we have faced and the games we have navigated have been fantastic, and this is the latest one. It doesn’t get easier; in fact, it becomes tougher as we get closer, with heightened expectations and excitement surrounding the club. This is a thrilling time for Hibs players, fans, and everyone associated with the club. We need to leverage this energy to our advantage."
The opportunity to compete in Europe until Christmas and the potential fixtures that may arise are significant motivators for the team. Gray is eager to test himself against top coaches, emphasizing that this is where Hibernian aims to compete.
Hibs secured their place in the Conference League play-off by defeating Partizan Belgrade, thanks to an extra-time goal from Chris Cadden, which clinched the aggregate victory.
Gray acknowledged that Legia Warsaw, who reached the quarter-finals of this competition last season before falling to eventual champions Chelsea, represent a higher level of competition. However, he conveyed a confident message to his squad, stating, "It’s still 11 very good players against 11 players. This tie is played over two legs, so it’s not a one-off match. It’s crucial how we start the game, especially at home, and we want to make the most of that advantage."
He noted that previous away matches may have influenced the players' psychology, as he aimed to quiet the crowd. "If the players perform as they have been, we know we are a strong side, and we can look forward to another special night at Easter Road," he added.
Team News
Gray made six changes to the team that defeated Livingston in the Premiership Sports Cup over the weekend, but confirmed that only one player, midfielder Joe Newell, is unavailable for selection on Thursday. There is positive news regarding fellow midfielder Rudi Molotnikov, who has progressed in training this week, though it may be too soon for him to participate. Attacking midfielder Jamie McGrath has also trained for the past two days and is in contention for the match.
What Hibs Can Expect from Legia Warsaw
Legia Warsaw is arguably Poland's most successful club, having won the Ekstraklasa title seven times in nine years from 2012. However, their last title victory came in the 2020-21 season, and they finished fifth last season, 26 points behind champions Lech Poznan.
Currently, Legia sits fifth in the new Ekstraklasa season, having lost their most recent league match against Wisla Plock after starting the campaign with two wins and a draw. They are competing in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds after being eliminated by Cypriot side AEK Larnaca, losing 5-3 on aggregate over two legs.
Despite winning the second leg 2-1, this marked just their second victory in the last five matches. The squad features Poland midfielder Damian Szymanski, who returned to the club on a four-year contract this month but has faced injury challenges. Additionally, former Wolves and Everton left-back Ruben Vinagre joined this summer from Sporting in Portugal.
Legia will look to players like Japan's left-sided midfielder Ryoya Morishita and newly signed former Watford striker Mileta Rajovic to drive their attacking efforts.