David Gray wants Hibernian to create one of club's most memorable nights

David Gray has called on Hibernian to create one of the best nights in their modern history by overcoming Gent in the second leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday.

The Hibees have struggled to make any notable impact in European competitions since the 1970s.

But they have a golden chance to secure group-stage football for the first time if they can overcome Gent at Easter Road after returning from Belgium last week with a 0-0 draw.

“It’s one of the biggest games since I’ve been here in terms of what’s at stake for the football club and the rewards and the benefits that the players, the club, the ownership deserve off the back of what we’ve been doing for the last couple of seasons,” said manager Gray, who revealed forward Owen Elding is an injury doubt.

“I’m pretty sure this will be one of the most memorable nights in the club’s history if we can go and achieve group stage football.

“We need that cup final mentality and attitude going into the game, we need to try and use the home advantage with that, because very rarely do you have a cup final sort of atmosphere at home, in your own stadium.”

Hibs suffered an agonising 5-4 aggregate defeat against Legia Warsaw in last year’s play-off round, but Gray feels his team can draw encouragement from the way they have performed in Europe against the likes of Midtjylland, Partizan Belgrade, Legia and Shkendija over the past 13 months.

“I certainly wouldn’t want them to reminisce on that feeling of how close we came and never quite made it but we have to take belief from it,” said Gray.

“We were behind in the tie (after the first leg), and we lost the first goal of the night as well, so it was a real test of character but the level of performance we put in that night and how close we actually came does show you the strength of the group.

“Some of the players have been involved in that and everyone just wants to take it that one step forward.

“We’ve been to some big places and put in big results and it’s going to take another huge performance to get the result, but I think we’re good enough to go and do it.”

Gray feels Hibs are now geared to compete in the Conference League main phase.

“It’s something that the club’s been set up towards for the last couple of seasons, really pushing towards,” said Gray.

“I know the owner (Ian Gordon) is desperate to try and see his team playing in Europe.

“He has that ambition, to see his team play in Europe and perform at the highest level and at this moment in time this is the highest level we can possibly play at so we need to try and make it last as long as we can.”