Hibs concluded their pre-season schedule with a home victory over Danish Superliga outfit Brøndby IF on Saturday.
And head coach David Gray believes the team are well equipped for their return to European football against KF Malisheva on Thursday.
Nathan Lowe, who joined on a season-long loan from EFL Championship side Stoke City on Tuesday – wasted no time in finding the back of the net in front of the Hibs fans having bagged two goals in the opening 16 minutes, only for Patrick Mortensen to convert from the penalty spot just before half-time.
After the final whistle Gray told Hibs TV: “It was another good exercise for the players against a real good opponent.
“There were very much needed minutes for some players as well and obviously a really positive result, which is another positive thing, and it was the last opportunity to really go and do that before the real stuff starts on Thursday.
“There are a lot of things you do work on, and there are a lot of things that people don’t see as well.
“I need to assess it all in terms of pre-season being done now, and we’ve picked up a few knocks and a few niggles in the last couple of weeks, which has probably been a bit frustrating, but at the same time I’m really pleased with where the players are physically.
“I thought even at times when you’ve seen that, especially the first half today, it was really good against a real strong physical side, and that should set us up and stand us in good stead when the competitive football starts next week.
“I’m really pleased [with Nathan Lowe], and he’ll be delighted. I think that’s what you always want as a striker, to get more confidence by scoring goals.
“He started really well, but it’s his all-round play. What he brought to the team was excellent, so he can be really pleased with what he’s done.
“On a personal note, I thought moments in the first half were really good, and we were really strong against a good level of opposition, and it’s something that we can take a bit of confidence from as well.”
