Hibs’ Head Coach Neil Lennon said he was proud of everyone associated with the club after last night’s draw with Asteras Tripolis in Greece.
In particular, he praised the contribution of the travelling support and said that the fans made it like a home game for his players.
Lennon also took time to mention John McGinn who scored the vital goal and Adam Bogdan who was immense in goals.
Hibs now face Motherwell on Sunday before Molde arrive from Norway on Thursday night for the first leg of the third qualifying round on the Europa League.
After the game Lennon told Hibs TV: “First of all I am very proud of everyone associated with the club, the players, the staff, the board and in particular the fans who were unbelievable. The fans have been a real pleasure for me during the two years I have been here.
“Tonight was like a home game for us and the best thing about this is that I have been on many planes coming away from Europe and your heads down but tonight e can enjoy things and fly back tomorrow.
“The fans can go home happy as well and we have given them something to look forward to.
“It’s a big achievement. You can see that there is inexperience at this level. We didn’t manage the game as well as we should have done in the second half, especially with the goal advantage and the ten men but you have to respect the opposition.
“They’ve been through this many times before. They have qualified for the group stages whilst we are very inexperienced with a very thin squad.
“It’s a fantastic night for the club. We kept the dream alive and we are excited about next week.
“I thought John (McGinn) was outstanding at times tonight, even when our backs were to the wall. He was the one spark that we had in all areas. His all round game was outstanding as it was at Easter Road as well. I think he enjoys the big games as well.
“You see what it means to him, playing for Hibs and we should enjoy him whilst he is here for as long as he is. He was brilliant.
“Adam (Bogdan) made a world class save from the header and hopefully everyone can see why we brought him in now. He’s been a bit rusty and we know that but away from home in Europe your goalkeeper will be under pressure and he was outstanding tonight.
“If you look at the balance of chances over the two games, we were very good.
“We will take each game as it comes and get them in on Saturday and train the boys who haven’t had much participation tonight and the rest will just recover.
“Hopefully we will get a few more bodies in because we are very thin.
“We are waiting on the paperwork for Thomas Agyepong and I don’t know how long that will take.
“We have a few other irons in the fire obviously.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
