David Gray told his Hibs side they came through a huge test of character after edging out FK Partizan on aggregate in a dramatic evening at Easter Road.
Rescued by Kieron Bowie’s 35-yard wonder goal and Chris Cadden’s extra time clincher, the Leith men booked a Conference League play-off with Legia Warsaw.
On a night when Dundee United crashed out of the same competition at Tannadice, Hibs looked to be going the same way despite being two goals up from the first leg.
A pair of errors in the first half by keeper Jordan Smith allowed Milan Vukotic and Jovan Milosevic to draw the Serbs level in the tie.
Bowie’s outrageous dipping strike from 30 yards with his left foot put Gray’s side back in command only for Andrej Kostic to dramatically level for the 10-man visitors in the 95th minute. Hibs came again and progressed through Cadden’s close range strike in the first period of extra-time.
Delighted with the way his players dug in, Gray said: ‘Trying to analyse that would be difficult, but ultimately it’s a brilliant result.
Kieron Bowie savours his 35-year wonder goal that will be savoured for years to come
Striker Bowie is mobbed by team-mates after his remarkable looping shot at Easter Road
Boss David Gray can’t hide his delight after Hibs made it to play-off at Partizan’s expense
‘We found ourselves 2-0 down. The message at half-time was it’s all about a massive test of your character.
‘It’s not about ability, we’ve just demonstrated you’re good enough to do it. It’s not to do with shape, the shape was good.
‘It’s about character and demonstrating it. And we’ve certainly done that.
‘We fully deserve to be in the next round, so it’s a fantastic night’s work.’
Bowie’s goal will be talked about for years to come at Easter Road. ‘His goal was a special goal for a special night,’ added Gray.
‘Unfortunately, that actually didn’t win the game there and then, but I’m delighted for him on a personal level. He’s had a lot of praise recently, and deservedly so, but he’s been through a lot as well. Two really long-term injuries, it’s a real test of character to keep going into the gym every day, keep working hard.
‘To join a new club, then get a setback again, then need an operation on it, to then pull himself through that, and then to do what he’s doing now, I think he fully deserves it for everything that he’s done up until this point.
‘And as I keep saying, there’s a lot more to come for Kieran Bowie, which is a real positive for everybody.’
Chris Cadden scored the extra-time clincher that booked a showdown with Legia Warsaw
Kieron Bowie is ecstatic after his goal lit up the Conference League tie in Leith
Bowie is congratulated by team-mates after what will surely be goal of the season
Gray also felt goalkeeper Smith deserved huge credit for making a string of fine stops after his first half nightmare.
‘As a goalkeeper, you’ve got no hiding place,’ he said.
‘If you make a mistake, you get punished, and that’s what happens. That’s why it’s quite a lonely position to be in and it takes a strong character to be able to do that.
‘As I’ve just said, I had no doubts about Smudge in the second half. What he does do then is, he doesn’t take any risks. He didn’t overplay, he didn’t put himself in positions again.
‘He simplified his game and he made some big saves. That’s all you can ask of your goalkeeper in those moments.’
Extra-time hero Cadden said: ‘This is why you sign for a club like this. This is the best I’ve seen this stadium in five years since I’ve been here. It’s amazing. We deserve that with all the effort we put in. I’m buzzing.’
