Head coach David Gray is urging his players to “change history in positive ways” as Hibernian eye Conference League qualification.
The Leith side travel to Partizan Belgrade in the first leg of their third-round qualifier on Thursday after suffering Europa League heartache last week.
A stunning extra-time bicycle kick from Midtjylland’s Junior Brumado denied Hibs a penalty shootout at Easter Road, but Gray wants his team to respond by embracing a tough trip to a hostile Partizan Stadium.
On facing a potentially daunting atmosphere, the Hibs boss told BBC Scotland: “You need to deal with that challenge. It’s a different one many of the players haven’t experienced before and we’ll make sure players are ready for it.
“It will be tough. That intensity and atmosphere is something we have to contend with as well. I expect them to be fast and intense.”
Despite being the first British club to play in Europe, Hibs have never qualified for a group or league phase of a Uefa competition.
To change that, they will need to beat Partizan, who finished as a distant second in the Serbian top flight last term, and Legia Warsaw or AEK Larnaca in the play-off round.
“It’s something that’s not been done,” added Gray, whose side started their Scottish Premiership campaign with a win at Dundee on Sunday.
“I keep challenging the players to change history in positive ways. It’s going to take huge effort and maximum performance levels. The players need to relish this opportunity.”
