Hibs head coach David Gray knows there is no time to dwell on Thursday’s Euro exit and the focus must be on tomorrow’s trip to Dundee.
Hibs suffered a late 3-2 defeat at Easter Road in the UEFA Conference League Play-Off Round, bringing their European campaign to an end despite a spirited performance against KAA Gent.
Hibs have three points from their opening two games and aim to add to that total against Steven Pressley’s on form side.
“As I said last season, and I’m going to say it again now, (European) nights like this are special nights if you come out on the right side of the scoreline, but you felt it in the stadium,” Gray told Hibs TV.
“The players responded really well to it, and if you want nights like that, your domestic form needs to be good.
“So we need to bounce back as quick as we can because we’ve got a tough game away on Sunday.”
Gray also highlighted the importance of sticking together and using Thursday night’s result as motivation for the season ahead.
He added: “I think right now it’s very difficult. Clearly we’re all human beings that are all suffering, and they’re all really disappointed, but it’s my job and the staff’s job to get around the players and make them bounce back as quickly as we can.
“There was nothing I was going to say immediately after the game that makes them feel any better about that in the dressing room, but as quick as we can, we get around the boys and we make sure that we show them where we can improve.
“That’s what it’s all about. We always need to try and improve as much as we can, and there will be a lot of positives to take from the game and learnings to take from it.
“But that’s the big thing that we need to make sure we keep moving forward, because as we showed in very large spells tonight, when we do get it right, we’re a very good side. We just need to put that complete performance in.”
Gray provided a team news update, including the latest on Josh Campbell and Owen Elding, who missed out in midweek.
“Josh had a bit of a sickness bug, so that is why he was unavailable. Owen (Elding) had a bit of a calf issue too.
“We’re hoping it’s not too significant or that he is out for too long. As I say, we’ve tried to give him every chance for the game in midweek, which means that we’re pretty hopeful that it’s not a significant long-term injury.
“But he was still sore, so we couldn’t take that risk. Nicky Cadden also had a bit of an issue in the warm-up which wasn’t ideal, but that is what the squad is for.
“We need to make sure that we dust everybody down as quickly as we can and recover them ahead of a big game against Dundee.”
