I always felt that I would grab a goal...

SAYS FLORIAN KAMBERI

ANOTHER timely demonstration of his goalscoring prowess arrived right on cue — and not a second too late. Much like a luxurious watch from his native Switzerland. As the clock ticked down on a thrilling Europa League clash on Thursday night, Florian Kamberi was only too happy to oblige Easter Road as it yearned for a Last Action Hero.

Poking home at the far post in the 93rd minute — a real poacher’s effort that was virtually the last kick of the game — the striker completed the most miraculous comeback for a Hibs side who had trailed Asteras Tripolis 2-0 at half-time.

The 3-2 triumph sparked scenes of utter jubilation — and keeps their hopes of progress in the competition very much alive and kicking, with Neil Lennon’s men set to travel to Greece for the return leg on Thursday.

The goal also enhanced the cult-hero status of Kamberi in Leith. The front man has barely put a foot wrong since initially arriving at the club on loan in January, but this was an altogether more exhilarating high than anything he had previously experienced.

He found the net nine times in 14 games across the second half of last season, convincing Hibs to make permanent his transfer from Grasshoppers for a fee of £100,000 in June.

What a bargain that now looks. Kamberi has struck four goals in three European games so far, including a hat-trick in the rout of NSI Runavik in the previous round. His purchase for such a modest sum already looks like it could prove to be an inspired piece of business.

Added to his talent, Kamberi clearly possesses the kind of ruthless self-belief that is the hallmark of all great goalscorers.

‘It didn’t matter that it was so late in the game — I always knew I was going to score,’ claimed the 23-year-old. ‘I felt something the whole match — that I will leave this pitch with a goal. I just had that feeling from the start of the game. I can’t really explain it.

‘I felt very emotional and very happy when I managed to do it, especially with it being such a late goal to get the win.

‘I thought I was maybe offside. I didn’t hit it all that cleanly, but I didn’t care. It was just so important to win and I wanted to run away and celebrate with the fans.

‘I have scored a couple of hat-tricks since I have been at Hibs and they were both crazy.

‘But to score the winning goal in a European qualification game is also very, very big. It is on the same level as the hat-tricks.’

With Asteras having failed to win a European tie away from home in 12 previous attempts, the sense of shock around Easter Road was palpable when the Greeks surged into a 2-0 lead just after the half-hour mark.

However, given that Hibs dispatched Runavik 12-5 on aggregate in the previous round, there was never any possibility the home side wouldn’t have something to say in reply. Step forward Lennon’s Entertainers.

Goals from Efe Ambrose and David Gray set the stage for Kamberi’s winner, which was in keeping with a night of positive European results for both Aberdeen and Rangers.

Bearing in mind the opposition had not played a competitive game since May, Kamberi said: ‘We could feel them tiring in the second half.

‘It was not easy for them because we had a lot of the ball and they had to chase us. It was phenomenal because, at 2-0 down, it was hard for us to come out in the second half.

‘But we played really well and, in the end, we could actually maybe have won by more goals. It was an unbelievable win for us. To go through 90 minutes like that in a European qualification game was just amazing.’

Kamberi, who was subjected to some uncompromising treatment from the Asteras defence, remains confident that Hibs can finish the job next week.

Paying tribute to his team-mates’ efforts, he added: ‘I can’t do it without the ball. I need the assists, this one coming from Paul (Hanlon). It is 3-2 to Hibs — not 3-2 to Flo. So it is a team effort.

‘The Greek defenders are not so nice to play against. We know about their tricks. It was not easy for me but I managed to score the winner.

‘They were tough to play against. I will need to watch the game back and analyse what movements I can maybe do better.

‘They always want the body contact, so I have to look for some different movements and different ways of playing against them for next week.

‘We showed we can compete at this level. We want to make the club proud.’