There was a lot to like about Hibernian's performance last week in North Macedonia.
Playing on a difficult surface in a hot and stifling atmosphere, they rarely looked in trouble and, when Shkendija did press late on, the defence stood strong.
The tie could easily have gone the other way, but the discipline and spirit shown by everyone on the pitch were a joy to behold.
Scottish clubs have often struggled after returning from a demanding European trip, but Hibs got the job done against Partick Thistle to maintain their pursuit of League Cup silverware.
Now it is on to another European encounter, where Gent await in Belgium.

#macedonia #shkendija #scottish

Shkendija will aim to make a fast start in intense heat on Thursday, says head coach Artim Pollozhani, as the North Macedonian side look to wipe out Hibernian's first-leg advantage.
David Gray's men take a narrow 2-1 Conference League qualifying lead with them to Skopje and travel buoyed by a late victory at Rangers on Sunday.
"Hibs start the game with an advantage so we want to score early," says the Shkendija boss. "One goal and we will equalise and then try to close the game in 90 minutes.
"The psychological part will be very important. We want to be in the next round, we want to repeat the success of last season in Europe."
Shkendija qualified for the Conference League last term and made it through the league phase before being dumped out by Turkish side Samsunspor in the first knockout round.

#shkendija #advantage #round

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Europa League: Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-1 Rangers - visitors lead through Montoia own goal before conceding soft leveller to Szmyt, who soon adds second
Conference League: HJK 0-0 Motherwell - Paulsen impresses with first-half saves
Europa League: Benfica v Hearts (20:00)
Conference League: Hibernian v Shkendija (20:00)

#league #rangers #montoia

Hibernian head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face FK Shkendija in the first leg of their Conference League third-round qualifier.
Here are the main points:
Gray admits Shkendija are "certainly a step up" in quality from second-round opponents Malisheva but he is confident "we're going in the right direction" in terms of match sharpness.
He adds: "It will be a difficult test but a similar one in terms of an aggressive side that move forward quickly and a few players that can cause you a threat as well."
This time last year Hibs overcame Partizan Belgrade at the same stage and Gray says "it's going to take a level of performance like that again".

#round #terms

The New Saints' Leo Smith did not initially fear the worst when he went down injured in a Champions League qualifier nearly 12 months ago.
The midfielder suffered the injury just before half-time in his side's game against Shkendija in July 2025 and had to be taken off on a stretcher.
As it turned out, that marked the start of a long spell on the sidelines.
"As it happened, it was a strange feeling," Smith told BBC Sport Wales.
"I couldn't really straighten my leg, and I thought it could have been something like a nerve down my hamstring.