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Hibs UEFA Conference League hopes may rest on twin creative threat of returning aces

· John Greechan · 2026-08-11 · nguồn gốc

Hibs Euro history attempt boosted by double injury return amid 'crying out for creativity' admission Jamie McGrath and Callum Wright both raring to go in scorching Skopje Hibs will be boosted in their bid to make European history by the return to fitness of not one but two key playmakers, according to Easter Road boss David Gray. Jamie McGrath made his first appearance of the season as an early second-half sub in Sunday’s historic away win over Rangers, as Gray’s men became the first Hibs team ever to bag Ibrox victories in three consecutive seasons. They’re now chasing the prize of reaching European league/group stage football for the first time in club history. McGrath made season debut at Ibrox Gray, preparing his team to make the most of their 2-1 first-leg lead as he takes Hibs to scorching Skopje for Thursday night’s UEFA Conference League third qualifying round clash with KF Shkendija, was thrilled to see McGrath back in action – and impacting the game – after recovering from a calf problem. Callum Wright bagging the injury-time winner wasn’t bad, either. “Jamie gives you, obviously, much more competition and much more creativity,” said Gray. “You saw that even in half an hour against Rangers. “His quality, the way he receives the ball really well. He’s calm, he’s composed. He was exactly what the game needed when we put him on at Ibrox. “I thought Callum Wright was the same when he came on. Attacking subs to come on, kept the same shape, still stayed brave with that. “And that sort of creativity has been something we've been crying out for a little bit. Just because the squad has been a little bit stretched, you lose both of them at the same time. “They are your main creative ones. So it’s great that they’ve both got minutes heading into this game. Suto and Klidje back in frame “And then Ante Suto starting the game, he did really well. He’s benefiting from minutes, although again he looked tired when he came off, for obvious reasons. “Thiibault Klidje looked tired because he's not played as many minutes. Kanayo Megwa was tired. But the full group now can all feel really good about themselves because everybody's contributing. And that's what's required.” “When you go Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday, it's important that everybody's ready to go. It can only help when you get results like we did against Rangers, knowing that everyone has played so well. “The guys feeling part of it and contributing to such a good result really helps with team spirit. And we know how important that is going to be if we want to be successful domestically and in Europe.”