David Gray: Hibernian will be fully prepared for Partizan Belgrade tie

David Gray has no concerns about Hibernian’s ability to handle a Conference League trip to Partizan Belgrade so soon after their Premiership opener away to Dundee on Sunday.

The Hibees suffered an agonising 3-2 aggregate defeat in their Europa League second qualifying round tie against Midtjylland after the Danes struck the decisive goal in the 29th minute of extra-time in Thursday’s second leg.

Gray’s side now parachute into the Conference League third qualifying round, where they will face Partizan in the Serbian capital next Thursday.

“We’ll do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for the players,” the manager said of their gruelling start to the campaign. “The one thing you want to always do is you want to make sure they’re going into it as fresh as you can. The Belgrade game will take care of itself by the time we get to that.

“The plans will go in place to make sure we can get there the easiest way, the quickest way, that you stay over, all these things that come with that. You travel a day early, but that will all take care of itself. Everything is geared up now towards Dundee.

“We’ll make sure we get everybody clear with the game-plan ready to go up there to make sure we try and win the game. Then we’ll look forward to Thursday night in Europe again, which naturally the players will all be ready for.”

Hibs found out a week past Monday that Partizan were a possible opponent if they lost their Europa League qualifier and now that scenario has been confirmed, Gray and his backroom staff will ratchet up their preparations.

“I think you’re always looking at potential things you could face,” he said when asked if he had spent much time studying the Serbs. “You have an eye across everything.

“The players aren’t aware of any of that yet, that’s the whole point of your analysis department. As coaches, we’re always preparing for what the possible outcomes could be.”

Hibs’ squad could look different by the time they head to Serbia, with Scotland defender Grant Hanley and former Clermont midfielder Yohann Magnin on their radar and defender Lewis Miller reportedly close to joining Blackburn.

Gray believes his players will have benefited from the way they stood up to Midtjylland over two legs.

“We were still not at our absolute best, we can still improve in certain situations,” he said. “But Midtjylland are a big, strong, powerful side and we defended them incredibly well.

“It’s great for the players to test themselves against elite-level opposition. They were a Champions League team last season for a reason, they’ve got top, top players, and it’s great for our players to feel that.”