In a night of high drama at Easter Road, Hibernian’s Europa League journey came to a close following a hard-fought encounter against Danish side Midtjylland. Head coach David Gray, while admitting the sting of defeat was palpable, expressed immense pride in his squad’s unwavering effort and commitment throughout the challenging tie.

The atmosphere within a sold-out Easter Road was nothing short of electric, with fans creating a formidable backdrop for the European clash. Despite the valiant display, Hibs ultimately fell short, a result Gray acknowledged was difficult to process immediately after such an intense fixture.

Gray reflected on the decisive moments, highlighting that it took “three spectacular efforts” from a “real top team” like Midtjylland to overcome his side across the two legs. This perspective underscored the quality of the opposition and, by extension, the commendable performance delivered by the Hibernian players.

The emphasis from the coaching staff had been on maintaining peak concentration and defensive solidity against a high-calibre opponent. Gray lauded his players for meeting this challenge, noting their unwavering focus and the disciplined manner in which they defended throughout the 210 minutes of the tie.

Adding intrigue to the post-match discussions was the presence of Grant Hanley at Easter Road, sparking speculation about a potential transfer. Gray was directly questioned on the 33-year-old free agent, acknowledging his attendance at the match amidst ongoing transfer talk.

When probed about the potential impact of the vibrant Easter Road atmosphere on any prospective signings, Gray responded with confidence. He articulated that the “fantastic night” and the “outstanding” support from the sold-out crowd would undoubtedly leave a positive impression on any player witnessing such fervent backing.

Looking beyond the European disappointment, Gray stressed the importance of carrying the momentum and lessons learned into the upcoming domestic campaign. He underlined the need for a strong start to the season, particularly referencing the challenging fixture against Dundee, a team with a new manager and players eager to make an impression.

Midtjylland manager Thomas Thomasberg also offered his assessment, commending Hibs for their resolute performance throughout the tie. However, he maintained that his team was deserving of their progression to the third qualifying round, where they are set to face Norwegian side Fredrikstad.