Stevenson: Group stage would top cup wins
● Manager is confident capital side can prevail in most important game of tenure
Lewis Stevenson believes reaching the Europa League group stage would represent a bigger achievement for Hibernian than ending their 114-year wait to lift the Scottish Cup, writes Alan Temple in Molde.
Neil Lennon’s side take to the artificial turf of the Aker Stadium tonight with their third qualifying round tie delicately balanced at 0-0 following a nerve-shredding first leg at Easter Road last week.
Zenit St Petersburg or, more likely given their 4-0 win in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk await the victors in the play-off round, the last
hurdle before the group stage. Aberdeen remain the last side outwith Celtic or Rangers to reach that heady stage back in 2007, with the qualifying process becoming increasingly gruelling for Scots clubs.
Moreover, despite their storied past in Europe, Hibs have never won three successive ties in a single season. So while left-back Stevenson is the only player to win both the Scottish Cup and League Cup with Hibs, securing a place in the Europa League group phase would be an unrivalled feat.
“I think reaching the group stage would be the
ultimate achievement,” he said. “We had good success in the league last year and have had special runs in the cups, but to do it on the European stage would be incredible.
“The last couple of seasons, we’ve been beating records here and there. If we did this it would be the biggest of them all. I didn’t realise how long it had been since we’d been this far in Europe, in terms of going through so many rounds. We aren’t quite there yet, but we’ll focus on the game on Thursday and hopefully make history.”
Neil Lennon insists a resurgent Molde will represent a considerable step up in class for his players as he described tonight’s trip to the Aker Stadium as the most significant fixture of his reign at Easter Road.
However, the Northern Irishman is adamant his side can prevail from a fraught, “50-50” encounter on the scenic Norwegian coast.
The capital club were the better side in Edinburgh – certainly in terms of clear-cut chances – by some distance, with Stevie Mallan striking the bar and visiting goalkeeper Andreas Linde inspired.
However, they simply could not find a way past the Norwegians and will take to the field tonight with the tie delicately balanced at 0-0.
The victors face Zenit Saint Petersburg or, more likely given their 4-0 win in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk for a place in the Europa League group phase.
Despite a rather meek showing in Scotland, Molde – emboldened by the return of Erling Braut Haaland in attack – appear to have found their groove, hammering league leaders Brann 5-1 on Sunday.
Lennon acknowledges that facing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men on their own patch will be a tougher task than any posed by Runavik or Asteras Tripolis in previous rounds – even if Celtic’s travails illustrated that the favourites’ tag can be deceiving.
“Are they beatable? Yes they are. All teams are beatable, even Celtic,” he said, in reference to his old club’s disappointing defeat at the hands of AEK Athens.
“Molde will try to take the game to us and, at this stage of the competition, it’s a big step up in class. We will have to be patient and maybe rely on our goalkeeper to make saves – as theirs did in Edinburgh.
“I think it’s 50-50. Obviously with Molde being at home they have a slight edge but they are on the cusp of if we score they need to get two. And we are capable of scoring. We have tidied up defensively in recent weeks and we always seem to create chances.
“I wasn’t surprised with what I saw from Molde in Edinburgh. They were fit, as they are midway through their season, they are technically very good and have pace in their team. Their rotation was excellent in midfield.
“They are a very slick outfit, as I said before the first leg, and nothing changed my mind. It’s a very stiff test and we have to be fully on our guard and fully concentrated to the threat they will bring.”
Despite a proud European heritage, including being Britain’s maiden representatives on the continent and semifinalists in the European Cup and Fairs Cup during the
glory days of the 1950s and 1960s, the Edinburgh club have never won three successive ties in a single season.
It means Lennon’s men can make history tonight – and he has no desire to downplay the scale of the encounter.
“In terms of the magnitude of what is in front of us, this is the biggest game of my Hibs career,” he said. “This is European football and we are one game away from the play-offs.
“We have had big games domestically, getting promotion and we had a great season last year in the Premiership.
“We’ve even had a couple of semi-finals along the way. But in terms of the profile of Hibs, and where we want to take this team, then tonight’s game is big.”
Inside Molde’s stadium, which is nestled across the water from 222 stunning snow-clad peaks, it will be the hosts left with a mountain to climb should Lennon’s side claim an all-important away goal.
And in Martin Boyle, he believes he has the man to breach their back-line.
The flying winger has been irrepressible this season and Lennon reckons he still does not get the attention his displays merit. That, he contends, will all change if Hibs’ European adventure continues – to the point where Scotland manager Alex Mcleish may just take notice.
“Martin was a squad player and has pushed himself forward and has got better every season,” said Lennon. “He’s a player at the top of his game and a real handful – and I’m glad he’s on our team. He’s as good as any winger in Scotland.
“When you see him in real flow then it gives us a real boost. He doesn’t get the recognition he deserves and is capable of playing at a higher level. I don’t know if he can be a Scotland player – but this European campaign will stand him in good stead for that. He’s gaining experience and was one of the best attacking players in the league last season.”
Meanwhile, Lennon has confirmed that goalkeeper Adam Bogdan will reclaim his place tonight after recovering from injury.
“Martin is a player at the top of his game and a real handful. He’s as good as any winger in Scotland”
NEIL LENNON