John Hughes tells Hibs to 'take it on the chin' and atone for European exit

Published on Thursday 5 August 2010 19:12

HIBERNIAN manager John Hughes has promised the Easter Road fans that their team will strive to qualify for Europe again this season to atone for a campaign that ended last night having barely begun.

• The faces of Anthony Stokes, left, Kevin McBride, centre and Chris Hogg say it all as hibs go 2-1 behind on the night. Picture: SNS

NK Maribor's 3-2 victory brought the curtain down on a brief and bitterly diappointing adventure for Hibs, who had lost the first leg in Slovenia 3-0. They can have few complaints, with the only bright spots being a double from home debutant Edwin de Graaf.

Sol Bamba, exiled last week after having returned late for pre-season training, returned to the side but could not prevent Marcos Morales Tavares killing the tie with the opening goal, scored after just 19 minutes. The skipper scored again 73rd minute, his strikes bookending a converted penalty by Dejan Mezga.

"We need to take it on the chin and get on with it, and look forward to the domestic season starting," said Hughes. "I would like to thank the supporters, who got right behind us tonight. If they can play their part this season then hopefully we can go and get that European spot again."

Hibs only qualified for the Europa League third qualifying round on the final day of last season, having endured a post-Christmas decline in form. Hughes' side have provided little evidence that they have overcome this slump in 180 minutes of European action, but the manager was up-beat last night.

"We had one or two chances to take the lead, but it did not materialise. To lose the first goal from a set-piece was disappointing. But I am proud of the boys. They gave an almighty effort. They kept digging in. There were a lot of tired legs out there but on the night there was just far too much for us to do.

"I asked them to play with passion, pride and desire, and I saw that," he added. "It was a hard-working performance, but not quite good enough on the night. They (Maribor] are a good side. I'd like to wish them all the best."

Hughes singled out Bamba for praise, with the player stepping back into the side after incurring the manager's wrath last month following his late return after the World Cup. It had been rumoured that the Ivory Coast defender might not play for the club again, but he answered the call last night. "I thought he was different class for someone who has not trained much," said Hughes. "You can see the asset he is to Hibs."

Hughes must now set his sights on this weekend's friendly with Blackpool, before the work to qualify for Europe begins in earnest again on Sunday week against Motherwell. For Maribor coach Darko Milanic last night's victory proved sweet. The Slovenian side's arrival in Scotland had been beset with problems, with the driver of the team bus even getting lost on the way to Easter Road for training on Wednesday evening. Milanic also claimed that a temporary set of training goals had then fallen apart on the pitch.

"These troubles gave us extra incentive," said Milanic, although Hibs made the reasonable claim that the driver of a bus hired by the Slovenian club had little to do with them. "We were surprised at all that went wrong," added Milanic. "But in the end it gave us additional motivation. It was not key, just an additional part of the puzzle. The most important thing is that the team performed well."

Maribor now take their place in the draw for the play-off round in Nyon today, alongside the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, as well as, from Scotland, Dundee United and Motherwell.

Match report

• Hibernian 2 - 3 Maribor: Hibs humbled once more as Maribor are just too sharp