Hibernian’s quest for Conference League football is in jeopardy after a humbling by unfancied Kosovan outfit Malisheva.
Kreshnik Uka stunned David Gray’s side in the first leg of the second qualifying tie at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina when he opened the scoring in the 21st minute from close range.
Hibs stepped up the pressure after the break and new signing Nathan Lowe missed a couple of chances as they chased a precious equaliser but home substitute Valjmir Nafiu added a second in the 90th minute on the break to leave the Scots with a rescue mission in the second leg at Easter Road next week.
Gray and his men were roundly booed by the travelling fans who had made the journey to eastern Europe and the Hibs boss conceded they had let down their supporters.
And despite being second best throughout a miserable 90 minutes, the Easter Road boss insisted his men could turn the tie around in Leith next week.
‘We were way below the requirement and the expectations of this football club,’ conceded Gray. ‘I know that, and it’s a reflection on myself and the team.
Hibs defenders Felix Passlack and Adam Mayor reflect on a night to forget for the visitors
‘I’m not going to stand here and try and justify it or make excuses at all. We weren’t good enough.
‘The only positive, if there is anything to come out of today, is the fact it’s happened in the first leg and there is still an opportunity to turn it around — and I do believe we are good enough to do it from what I’ve seen today.
‘Fans will certainly not want to hear apologies. The support was incredible today. They have spent their money to come and watch the team and we know we’ve let them down.
‘I wasn’t shocked or surprised by anything I saw from the opposition, what we expected going into the game. We know that they’re an aggressive side, a team that will do the transition quickly — the second goal is another example of that.
‘Everything that could have gone wrong for us today certainly did and it’s very hard to win games of football when there’s so many of us not at the level required.
‘That wasn’t just one or two players. To win any game of football at any level, never mind European football, you need to have a level of performance that’s good enough throughout the team.
‘I don’t think there’s a single player today that can hold their hand up and say, I was at the very best of my ability today.
‘But I still firmly believe in the group. The criticism and everything is going to come and rightly so but there’s only one person who can try and turn it around and it’s my responsibility to make sure the team are right and ready for next week.’
Kreshnik Uka converts the opener to give the Kosovan side a deserved first-half lead
It was another abject night for Scottish football in Europe as the Leith side came up short against a club that is only a decade old.
On-loan Stoke striker Lowe was the only new signing in Gray’s side for the first competitive game of the season.
Hibs, who secured their European place with a fifth-placed finish in the Premiership last season, looked comfortable enough in the early stages in front of a sparse crowd.
In the seventh minute forward Owen Elding had a looping header from a Felix Passlack cross cleared off the line by Malisheva captain Dreni Kryeziu, with keeper Ilir Avdyli beaten.
The home side showed little in attack until the 15th minute when midfielder Arlind Veliu had an effort from inside the Hibs box deflected over the bar for a corner which came to nothing.
However, Malisheva kept pushing and when Veliu made his way down the left and cut the ball back into the box, Dzemal Ibishi missed the first contact but Uka stabbed the ball low past Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger.
Hibs’ response was lukewarm, notwithstanding a header from defender Grant Hanley that was easily saved by Avdyli.
Adam Mayor, Hibs’ summer signing from Millwall, replaced Jack Iredale for the second half and the Edinburgh side enjoyed more of the ball and put on some pressure.
Hibs boss David Gray remains confident his side can turn the tie around at Easter Road
Lowe, who scored in the win over Brondby last weekend, hit the outside of the post and went close again when he found himself through on goal in the 51st minute. Zambian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa soon blazed an effort over the bar following a corner.
The visitors kept pushing and in the 66th minute Lowe raced clear but missed the target with an unconvincing drive.
At the other end, Sallinger was pleased to see a header from Donart Vitija land in his arms.
The game became disjointed and scrappy in the final stages but Hibs were again stunned in the final minute of normal time when Nafiu fired high into the net after being brilliantly set up by Uka on the counter.
Gray’s side now have it all to do in the return game at home next week.
Malisheva (3-5-2): Avdyli; Shani (Murati 72), Kryeziu, Skovgaard; Isgandarli (Pira 72), Vitija (Luma 86), Ferati, Uka, Veliu; Ibishi (Bajraktari 92), Xhylani (Nafiu 71). Booked: None. Manager: Thomas Brdaric.
Hibernian (4-3-3): Sallinger; Passlack, O’Hora, Hanley, Iredale (Mayor 46); Mulligan (Abdulai 81), Chaiwa, Obita; Elding (Newell 68), Lowe, Boyle (Klidje 68). Booked: O’Hora, Abdulai. Manager: David Gray.
