Chris set to go full Hogg

Barcelona, Juventus, Napoli, Liverpool, Porto, Valencia, Porto - wherever he looked the names of some of the continent's biggest clubs stared him in the face as Hibs marked their 50th anniversary of European football.

And the 90 minutes against the Ukrainians of Dnipro didn't disappoint, other than the 0-0 final score which, while obviously not what Tony Mowbray's players wanted, still gives them a chance of progressing to the group stages of this season's competition.

But while everyone looks forward to heading east in less than a fortnight's time, it was tomorrow's SPL clash with Celtic which was occupying the 20-year-old's mind today, the former Ipswich Town kid insisting Mowbray's stars follow that old football maxim of one match at a time to the letter. He said: "I'd never played in the UEFA Cup before so Thursday night was a great experience for me and now I am hoping for many more nights like it.

"I'd had a look round the stadium on Wednesday as they were putting that massive banner up and looking at the names on it I realised what a bit night it was going to be. It was marvellous to be part of something special and while it would have been nice to celebrate the 50th anniversary with a win but, while we were a bit disappointed not to do so, I don't think anyone could have been unhappy with our performance.

"We are still in it, 0-0 is not a bad result and we believe we can score over there. If we do that and defend well then we feel we can still win the tie."

Thursday night might have been Hogg's first taste of Europe but his performance against Dnipro made it difficult to remember that his Hibs debut had come barely a month previously.

And if it ended in despair, Hibs going down 4-0 at Tynecastle as Hogg stepped off the bench to replace skipper Gary Caldwell who punctured a lung and broke two ribs in a collision with goalkeeper Zibi Malkowski, the intervening period has been one to remember for the former England youth skipper.

Five matches unbeaten, one goal conceded and that 3-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox is an impressive record in anyone's language and one which helped convince Mowbray that Hogg should retain his place even although Caldwell was fit again if a bit short of match practice.

While many assumed Caldwell, vastly more experienced and a full international to boot, would simply walk straight back into the side at Hogg's expense, the Middlesbrough-born youngster insisted that thought had never entered his head.

He said: "Things had been going quite well, we'd been getting a few decent results and I was happy with my form so I didn't even think about that.

"As a player you concentrate on doing your job for the team and leave picking the side up to the manager.

"I'm not saying you expect to be picked because we know there is competition at the club and you have to play well to stay in the side, but it is a good feeling when you see your name up on the team-sheet.

"When it was put up following our pre-match meal I had a quick search for my name and was delighted to see it there because there were a few disappointed boys who didn't make the bench far less the starting line-up."

The medial knee ligament strain which veteran defender Gary Smith suffered during the first half against Dnipro will rule him out for up to six weeks, giving Hogg the chance to form a partnership with Caldwell, although Dutch star Humphrey Rudge is desperate for a first start.

Caldwell and Hogg got their first 45 minutes together against Dnipro but they know they face another stern examination tomorrow as Celtic, having recovered from a stuttering start to the season, aim to begin picking up the pace with the benefit of having had a free week while their opponents have been on European duty.

But Hogg is convinced that, with the backing of another near sell-out crowd for a match which will again be televised live, he and his team-mates can force their weary legs into another top performance.

He said: "As a professional football player you want big games coming thick and fast, if you don't then you are in the wrong job.

"Tomorrow is a massive match because we've seen, even with the very top teams, what can happen after a European match, sometimes it can be a bit of an anti-climax.

"Thursday night is gone, the return leg is still almost a fortnight away, so tomorrow becomes the biggest game of our season.

"We are going to have another big crowd and I am sure that with their backing the adrenaline will be pumping again and we'll give it our all.

"Having beaten Rangers a few weeks ago it would be nice to do the double over the Old Firm but hopefully we'll turn in another good performance although we know it is going to be a hard game."

Hibs will, unfortunately, be without both Smith and Scott Brown, who was last night undergoing a scan on his injured ankle while Mowbray will give midfield star Michael Stewart, forced to limp out of the Dnipro match after taking a kick on his calf, every chance to prove his fitness.

The Hibs boss, whose side face five matches on three different fronts over the next 15 days, said: "Michael was feeling a lot better yesterday. He took a kick on the muscle which tightened up and went very solid. But it feels easier and we'll see if he has a chance or not.

"It's obviously disappointing to have injuries but they are part and parcel of the game so you won't find me complaining or whingeing.

"That's why you have a squad of players, it will present an opportunity for others and they have to take it."

HIBS' ticket office will be open from 9am until kick-off tomorrow.