David Gray has successfully steered his Hibernian squad into the Conference League third qualifying round, where they are set to meet Shkendija. This achievement follows an impressive turnaround victory against Malisheva, which marked a significant recovery from the criticism Gray faced just one week prior.
Following a disappointing 2-0 defeat in Kosovo during the first leg, the pressure on the head coach was palpable. Traveling supporters had made their frustrations known clearly. However, the atmosphere at Easter Road changed dramatically as Hibernian overturned the deficit. Within the first 15 minutes, the team wiped out their two-goal disadvantage, fueled by the relentless energy of Martin Boyle.
Boyle was instrumental throughout the match, scoring as part of a 4-0 lead that saw the crowd switch from jeering to chanting Gray’s name. While the manager acknowledged a slight decline in performance during the final 20 minutes, which allowed Malisheva to pull one goal back, he remained focused on the team’s positive intent and attacking intensity. Gray emphasized that he viewed the win as a collective effort, praising the front three of Boyle, Owen Elding, and Nathan Lowe for their effective link-up play.
Looking ahead, Gray stated that the focus must immediately shift to the upcoming Scottish Premiership match against Motherwell. Despite the positive result, he noted that the demands of a high-intensity schedule are exactly what the team prepared for during their pre-season. The challenge now lies in maintaining this momentum against domestic competition.
