Hibs' potential play-off opponents emerge but face battle to keep key forward
· Mark Atkinson · 2026-08-07 · nguồn gốc
Hibs' potential play-off opponents emerge but face battle to keep key forward
Gent hold the aces after prevailing in Sweden
Hibs are on course to meet Belgian opposition in the play-off round of the Conference League should they finish the job against KF Shkendija next week.
That is because Gent earned an important 1-0 win away at IFK Goteborg in the first leg of their third qualifying round in Sweden. The winner of that tie is due to face Hibs or Shkendija next.
While Hibs required a stoppage-time winner from defender Warren O’Hora to overcome the North Macedonians in Edinburgh, Gent were far more convincing in their performance at the Galma Ullevi in Gothenburg.
In front of a crowd of just over 15,000, Gent took the lead on stroke of half time through young Ivorian forward Hyllarion Goore after dominating the opening 45 minutes.
IFK Goteborg rallied after the break, but were unable to find a leveller and now have it all to do when they travel to Gent’s Planet Group Arena next Thursday.
However, the Belgians may be without one of their forwards for that match after it emerged that their English striker Max Dean is coveted by Bolton Wanderers.
It has been reported that the English Championship outfit have tabled a bid in the region of £1 million for the 22-year-old, which was rejected by the Gent hierarchy.
Dean has scored 20 goals in 53 appearances for Gent over the past two seasons and value the ex-MK Dons man much higher. However, Wanderers are expected to up their offer in the coming days. Dean was an unused substitute in Sweden.
Ahead of next Thursday’s return leg in Belgium, IFK Goteborg have an Allsvenskan match against Kalmar at home, while Gent kick off their Jupiler Pro League campaign at home to KV Mechelen. Both matches are on Sunday.