I almost got in trouble for chasing my Euro treble
HIBS FLO’S FIRED UP FOR GLORY ANTHONY HAGGERTY
a.haggerty@dailyrecord.co.uk the team. I want to score a treble every week. It’s not that easy sadly.
“I was delighted to score my second hat-trick and win my first European game.
“I didn’t know about Alan Gordon’s landmark so I am very happy to have equalled that.
“I don’t have anywhere to put the match balls yet.
“I need to score many more hat-tricks then I will have to put up some shelves or organise somewhere to put them.”
It took Kamberi just a couple of minutes to open his account after Hibs won an early penalty in their Europa League qualifier.
But it only just squirmed past keeper Tordut Thomsen and the striker said: “It was a s**t penalty! I scored my two against Hearts and Rangers much better last season.
“At least it went over the line. I’ll need to improve on those.”
The Swiss ace also heaped praise on debutant Stevie Mallan who netted a double after his move from Barnsley. And Kamberi likened him to Scott Allan who dazzled for Hibs on loan from Celtic last term.
Kamberi said: “Stevie is a good footballer, has nice feet and is a little bit like Scotty Allan.
“He will need time but he will be good.”
Barring an absolute calamity Lennon’s men will now face Greek outfit Asteras Tripolis in the second qualifying round.
Lennon has targeted a run to the group stage but Kamberi knows how hard that will be after losing a Europa League play-off 5-0 to Fenerbahce in his days with Grasshoppers.
He said: “This first game is only the start and we can improve. We are not a team that just plays long balls.
“We play very nice football, which we showed last season.
“When we play in Europe it is different, with tougher opponents. But we will have a real chance if we play like we did last season and improve more.
“Reaching the group phase would be amazing for the club but it is not easy.
“If you want to go to the groups then you have to play much bigger teams.
“At Grasshoppers we played in four qualifiers then in the play-offs we got Fenerbahce – a huge team. We lost and that shows just how difficult it can be.
“I was part of the group that went to Istanbul. It’s a fantastic experience to play somewhere like that and it will help me be ready for Greece.”
FLORIAN KAMBERI