Hibs on-loan striker Nathan Lowe said that the players owed the fans a big performance after last week’s defeat to KF Malisheva in Kosovo.
Lowe was on target with his first competitive goal, the pivotal third goal that swung the Second Qualifying Round tie in Hibs favour.
Despite KF Malisheva’s substitute Omer Bajraktari’s strike adding some late pressure, Hibs held on for victory to book our spot in the Third Round against KF Shkëndija, and Lowe says the team were motivated to repay the fans after a disappointing first-leg defeat.
“I think we owed it to the fans after last Thursday,” Lowe told Hibs TV.
“That wasn’t a proper reflection of what we can do, as you saw tonight.
“I don’t know what it was, but I think sometimes you just have that in football, or any profession, have your off days, and the way we bounced back, I was really proud of everyone involved.
“Obviously, the last goal made it a bit more tetchy, but other than that, it was a pretty convincing display from us.
“It was exactly what the manager asked us to do (start fast) and to not go out with a whimper if we were going to go out.
“After the first five minutes, we could see the belief in the stadium, the belief in the players, and it’s amazing what that unity can bring.
“We created chance after chance and hit the crossbar multiple times. It (the goal) was coming, and you could tell the momentum was in our favour, and we just had to score.
“When we got the first, it just felt like it was going to be hard for them to stop us.”
Lowe’s goal – which was the first European goal of his career – was vital in Hibs turnaround bid – but the striker felt the bumper Easter Road crowd also played their part in the result.
He added: “The easiest of the four goals by a country mile, but I’ll take them all day, every day!
“I’ll snap your hand off for a tap-in from a yard out. It’s not quite [Martin] Boyle’s Messi-esque run, but I’ll take it.
“It’s my first European goal as well. That’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was young.
“When I was young, the UEFA Conference League wasn’t a thing, but it was playing in a European competition, no matter who you’re against.
“It’s a dream come true, and to cap my second game, the first home appearance in a competition with a goal, it’s brilliant, and I’m delighted.
“It credits them (the fans) because, in all honesty, I don’t think we expected it (the support) as much because of the performance last week.
“I think in football all is forgotten very quickly, and hopefully, we can create this relationship with the fans.
“They just want to see us work hard and score goals.
“The rest takes care of itself. We’re a hard-working team. We showed them that tonight, and hopefully we can continue to give them that as the season progresses.
“Hopefully, they’ve seen glimpses of what a special team we can be this season, and we’ll see where it takes us.”
