Hibs now aiming for domestic consistency after 'massive' win in Europe

Hibs are now looking to take their European form into domestic competitions following Thursday night’s heroics in Switzerland.

The Easter Road side secured a draw in Lucerne to book a Europa Conference League playoff showdown against English Premier League club Aston Villa.

And with Raith Rovers in the Viaplay Cup up next, assistant manager Jamie McAllister stressed the importance of putting together a run of consistent performances and progressing in the cup before thinking about the Villa game.

Two home wins in Europe and the 2-2 draw in the second leg against Luzern have been sandwiched between two defeats in their opening Premiership games.

And McAllister is looking to replicate their European form against Raith on Sunday.

Speaking after the game on Thursday, he said: “I think consistency is what we have to aim for now, the performances over the last four or five games have been very up and down, so it’s important we get that level of consistency.

“The boys were outstanding tonight, so just about replicating that again on Sunday. Being at home we will need to take the game to Raith, who are a good side, and it will be a tough game for us.

“Elie is a game changer, he is a game winner, him and Boyley were excellent. They worked hard off the ball then had the quality to get the goals as well, so they are a big part of our game.

“We’ve got to take it one game at a time, I know that’s an old cliché, but that’s where it is and it shows. We took our eyes off it a little bit against St Mirren and Motherwell, if you don’t put in a performance and work hard enough then you don’t get the results.”

Lee Johnson’s men will play their first leg against John McGinn’s Villa side on Wednesday, but McAllister insists that game will take care of itself and the full focus now has to turn to Sunday’s game.

He said: “The Raith game is the most important game now, it’s the next game and one we want to go and win and get through to the next round of the cup.

“Luzern are a good side and to play the way we played over the two legs and beat them is brilliant, but it’s now about getting the boys ready and prepared for Sunday.

“The result is massive for us, for the players and the staff, and for the supporters it’s huge, but again it comes down to consistency, you want to go into the next competition, which is Sunday, and be successful in that and then the league and it’s just a domino effect from there to get on a run of winning games.”