Hibs Secure Goalless Draw in North Macedonia: Fans Divided on Gray’s Tactics

Hibernian are one step from the group stage of European competition, but Thursday night’s goalless draw with Shkendija in North Macedonia has left the support both satisfied and slightly uneasy.

The tie is won, the job is done. The debate is only just starting.

‘Not pretty, but job done’

For many, the result alone was enough.

“Job done. Not pretty but a clean sheet away in Europe is nothing to be sniffed at,” said Calum, summing up the pragmatic mood among a large section of the support.

Neil struck a similar note. “Well done Hibs, not pretty but a professional job. Let's hope we can get over this last hurdle and into the next stage for the first time.”

The sense is clear: in Europe, style can wait. Progress cannot.

John was equally relaxed about the spectacle. “Well done Hibs, not the best of games to watch but who cares. Getting to the play-offs is all that counted. I feel the team were never in any danger, Shkendija played better at Easter Road.”

For that group of fans, the tie never felt in serious doubt. The clean sheet away from home, the control, the ticket to the play-off – all filed under “mission accomplished”.

Praise, with a warning attached

Then comes the other side of the conversation. The Rangers win at the weekend has raised expectations. Hibs showed they can punch high. Now some want to see that same ambition every week.

“A great result following on from the win against Rangers at the weekend,” said Kenny. The compliment arrived with a clear challenge. “David Gray now needs to have more faith that we can beat teams around us without resorting to the defensive tactics that we seem to deploy in the Premiership.

“The fans will get behind the manager and the team if we can play off the front foot and stop losing goals when we give the ball away just outside the 18-yard box. The players are there, no good being too negative.”

That’s the tension around Gray’s early tenure in a few lines. European discipline is respected. Domestic caution is already being questioned.

Concerns over quality and attacking edge

Not everyone bought into the idea that Shkendija were strong opponents, either.

“Gray says Shkendija were a really good side, they were awful and we played at their level over the tie with poor passing,” argued A Graham. “We were lacklustre up front and our record signing can't get a game.”

It’s a sharp contrast to the manager’s public assessment and underlines a deeper worry: that the Rangers performance might be the exception, not the standard.

“Hopefully some more signings to come as I'm struggling to see improvements in the ones we have so far. Hopefully we'll click into gear as the Rangers game seems the exception to the norm right now.”

The message is pointed. European progress is welcome, but supporters want evidence that this squad is evolving, not just edging through ties.

One hurdle cleared, a bigger one ahead

So Hibs move into the Conference League play-off with confidence on paper and questions in the stands. They’ve followed a statement league win over Rangers with a professional, if colourless, European display.

The clean sheet in North Macedonia buys time. The play-off will demand more.