Go with the Flo
Kamberi will not let previous Euro failure disrupt his mission to keep delivering goals and fire Hibs to the group stage
WITH a competitive trip to Istanbul on his CV, it is unlikely that Florian Kamberi is going to be fazed by anything thrown at Hibernian on their European adventures this season.
The former Grasshoppers striker, who became the first Hibs player to score a European hat-trick in 45 years when he bagged a treble on Thursday night, is confident that Neil Lennon’s side have what it takes to go far in the Europa League.
A 6-1 thrashing of NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands effectively put them into the second qualifying round, where they will face Greek side Asteras Tripolis.
Kamberi, hitting the ground running after earning a permanent move on the back of last season’s loan spell at Easter Road, is aware of how tough reaching the group stage will be.
But the Swiss forward will bring all his experience to bear as they march on.
‘I was in Europe before with Grasshoppers,’ said the 23-yearold. ‘They played four European qualification games, then, in the play-offs, we got Fenerbahce — a huge team.
‘We lost and that just goes to show how difficult it can be to reach the group stage.
‘Now everything seems perfect, but it gets tough. We have to be ready for anything.
‘I was part of the group that went to Istanbul and it was a nice stadium and great atmosphere.
‘It’s a fantastic experience to play somewhere like that — and it will hopefully help me be ready for Greece.
‘Reaching the group stage would be amazing for the club — but not an easy task. This was Runavik and, if you want to go to the groups, then you have to play against much bigger teams.
‘Everything is possible and we just need to focus on ourselves, play our football and see what happens.
‘We are not a team that just plays long balls or tries to get headers. We play very nice football, which we showed last season.
‘When we play in Europe it is different, with tougher opponents. We will have a real chance if we play like we did last season and improve more.’
Kamberi opened the scoring for Hibs from the penalty spot after two minutes on Thursday en route to bagging the first European hat-trick for the club since Alan Gordon’s against Hajduk Split in 1973. He was relieved to see his spot-kick just squeeze over the line.
‘It was a s*** penalty!’ he admitted with a laugh. ‘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.
‘If I can, I want a hat-trick every week! It’s not that easy, sadly. But I am delighted to score my second hat-trick and win my first European game. It’s amazing.
‘I didn’t know I had equalled that record, so I am very happy for that and for the club.’
Stevie Mallan was another standout performer for Hibs on the night, the midfielder netting twice on his debut for Lennon’s men — including a peach of a free-kick.
It was a fine way for the 22-yearold to mark the beginning of his Hibs career, after joining last week on a four-year deal from Barnsley.
Mallan never quite managed to establish himself for the Oakwell club, featuring just eight times in a season that saw them relegated from the English Championship.
With a new lease of life now, though, the former St Mirren man insisted: ‘Yeah, I probably do feel like I have a point to prove.
‘I believe that I should have played more than I actually did at Barnsley. It was tough, mentally more than anything.
‘But I feel like Hibs really suit me. The gaffer made it clear he wanted me, I made it clear I wanted to sign — and the style of football should suit me as well because his teams are renowned for passing the ball and scoring goals.
‘Anyone who knows my game, knows that’s what I’m about. I’ve always tried to get on the ball and make things happen.’ Whether or not Mallan will be able to form a midfield partnership with his former St Mirren team-mate John McGinn remains to be seen. McGinn continues to be heavily linked with a move to Celtic, who have had two offers rejected for the Hibs and Scotland star, and he was left out of the squad for the game on Thursday night. ‘I obviously can’t really comment on John’s future,’ added Mallan. ‘That is for him and the club to decide. But he was a great role model for me coming through at St Mirren and he has had a great few years at Hibs. ‘Hopefully I can emulate that.’