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Hibernian fans vent anger after shock 1st leg Conference League defeat against minnows

By AsiaEurope


Hibernian fans vent anger after shock 1st leg Conference League defeat against minnows KF Malisheva out in Pristina, Kosovo.

Around 250 fans made the trip made their feelings known having been left frustrated at giving their opponents a two-goal lead, making it a tough return fixture back at Easter Road next week.

Kreshnik Uka had the hosts ahead 22 minutes into the first half before substitute Valmir Nafiu made it 2-0 on the 90th minute.

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David Gray spoke to the club’s media:

Interviewer: “Dave, a difficult evening here in Kosovo tonight. How do you put it into words?”

David: “I think it’s very very simple to put that into words, which is way below the the requirement and the expectation of this football club.

“I know that that’s a reflection on myself, my team. We know we were well below where we needed to be today. I’m not going to stand here and make excuses at all. “That was obviously nowhere near good enough.

“The only positive if there is anything to come out of today which is the fact it’s happened in the first leg and there is still an opportunity to turn this round and I do believe we are good enough to do it from what I’ve seen today.

“As I said I could talk about moments and situations in the game they just be excuses but in terms of where we are just now the disappointment which know the frustration and then finally all I can.

“Fans are certainly not going to want to hear this in terms of apologies but know for the players and myself the reflection on what we’ve just delivered today, for the supporters that have spent the money to come and support their team in Europe. Now we know that’s unacceptable and nowhere near the level required.”

Interviewer: “Given Malisheva’s form coming into the game, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we probably made it a wee bit more difficult for ourselves than it had to be by giving them something to hang on to in the first half.”

David: “Listen, I’m not going give anyone an out, certainly myself, I’m not going to try and justify or try and make excuses and talk about anything other than the fact that we know to a man today we weren’t anywhere near the level required.

“And the goals we concede look at because they were not good enough. We know that so I’m certainly not I wasn’t shocked or surprised by anything I seen from the opposition, what we expected going into the game or everything I spoke about in terms of what to expect from the opposition.

“I’ve seen aggressive side a team that do transition quickly. The second goal is a brilliant example of that. Whereas we should we were right behind the ball but as I’ve just said everything that could have went wrong today for us certainly did and it’s very hard to win games of football when there’s so many of us not at the level required and the only thing I would say as I’ve just said there is I still firmly believe in the group I still firmly believe that the positive is it’s happened in the first leg and the criticism and everything that’s going to come and rightly so.

“But there’s only one person that can turn try the best to turn it around it’s my responsibility to make sure the team are right and ready for next week.”

Interviewer: “You mentioned it earlier, but a great turnout from the the supporters tonight here in Kosovo, and we’ll need them to help us turn it around at Easter Road next Thursday.”

David: “Incredible. As I’ve already touched on, um they were, as you’d expect, they’ll be frustrated now. Um angry, everything that comes with that, and rightly so.

“As I’ve already said, there is a responsibility and an expectation when you represent this football club. I know that more than I’ve been here about 12 years now. The fans have been incredible. They’ve traveled the game in the numbers with real hope and expectation, and we’ve we’ve let them down today. I know that.”







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