Two ties from the group stage

[SHODAN]

We're in the second EL qualifying round now, which is three ties from the group, but losing any of them drops us down to the next round of the Conference League.

So, we need to win two ties out of three. We can lose one but after that no **** ups.

[JohnM1875]

Some phenomenal teams enter the Conference play-off. We’ll need to get really lucky to make it.

Spewing at that result.

[expresso]

So disappointing I’m gutted

[Ryan91]

An incredibly bitter pill to swallow after the efforts of the team to turn it around after that honking start.

I get that UEFA say they want cup winners to be given priority in Europe, but doing well in the league is basically just a shrug and a "better luck next time with your cup draw"

[CapitalGreen]

Some phenomenal teams enter the Conference play-off. We’ll need to get really lucky to make it.

Spewing at that result.

We don’t need to make play the conference play off.

Win Europa League Q2 and Q3 and we get group stage football.

[JohnM1875]

We don’t need to make play the conference play off.

Win Europa League Q2 and Q3 and we get group stage football.

Not sure that's easier, to be fair

[Waxy]

We just seem to get on the wrong side of the hard luck stories way too often.
What odds Aberdeen for the cup this morning anyway?

[CapitalGreen]

An incredibly bitter pill to swallow after the efforts of the team to turn it around after that honking start.

I get that UEFA say they want cup winners to be given priority in Europe, but doing well in the league is basically just a shrug and a "better luck next time with your cup draw"

Depends how you define doing well in the league. Some might argue being the first non-Old Firm team to win a trophy in 4 years is more impressive than finishing 3rd.

[Mcbizz1998]

That isn’t going to happen. We won’t be seeded.

Celtic have ****ed us.

[Ryan91]

We don’t need to make play the conference play off.

Win Europa League Q2 and Q3 and we get group stage football.

We'll be unseeded in both of those ties, and will likely face some very good opposition, in Q2 we could face the likes of Braga or Anderlecht

[TrumpIsAPeado]

Look, we either do what is necessary to get there or we don't. If we don't do enough, then that is on us, no other club. So let's just do it eh.

[neil7908]

That isn’t going to happen. We won’t be seeded.

Celtic have ****ed us.

Yup. Sad to say but this is massive for us. Likely costing us millions and severely hampering what we could spend in the summer. A real kick in the stones after a great end to the season.

[danhibees1875]

Both things are true. It's sickening, but we got what we deserved ultimately.

Realistically, I don't think we'll get the group stage bonanza. Even if we do, the chances are so remote that we're not going to recruit players as if we were.

A massive blow.

[Unseen work]

We got Luzern and Villa last time

Be impossible to qualify from the position we’re in

[djw80!]

We don’t need to make play the conference play off.

Win Europa League Q2 and Q3 and we get group stage football.

Im not sure thats right,would we not still require play off? did we not play Villa in playoff but got kicked out? Or was that in the Conference I cannae mind.

[SHODAN]

That isn’t going to happen. We won’t be seeded.

Celtic have ****ed us.

We can lose one tie and be seeded for the next.

[SunshineOnLeith]

I think if we lose our first tie there's no fall back, and we'll be unseeded in it. Arguably harder to reach a group stage for us than Dundee United.

[scm70nyd1973]

It’s also feched up the appeal to players to come to us 🤬

[Ribs1875]

Supporting hibs comes with a potential cardiac issue at some point, but are we just not the most unlucky club in football sometimes. Unlike hearts out luck just never comes!

[Since452]

Gutting. Could be the difference of keeping Triantis, Rocky etc

[overdrive]

We got Luzern and Villa last time

Be impossible to qualify from the position we’re in

We got lucky with Luzern as well. They were the seeded team. Chances are we aren’t getting lucky this time. I actually despise Celtic for this.

[SHODAN]

I think if we lose our first tie there's no fall back, and we'll be unseeded in it. Arguably harder to reach a group stage for us than Dundee United.

That's incorrect. If we lose our initial tie we drop down to the Conference League third round.

[overdrive]

I think if we lose our first tie there's no fall back, and we'll be unseeded in it. Arguably harder to reach a group stage for us than Dundee United.

We fall into the conference league but are confirmed unseeded in that too

[CapitalGreen]

Im not sure thats right,would we not still require play off? did we not play Villa in playoff but got kicked out? Or was that in the Conference I cannae mind.

If we win Europa League Q2 and Q3 we are in the Europa Play Off. Win that Europa League Groups, lose that and it’s Conference League groups.

[CapitalGreen]

The draw for Q3 occurs before Q2 is concluded, so if we win Q2 we could take our opponents seeded position in Q3.

Similarly with Q3 and the PO round.

[Souter96Mac]

Was always out of our hands, a bitter pill to swallow though after an amazing season.

All the club can do now is start the prep and recruitment for Europe/next season.

It becomes a taller order to get to the group stages, but if we get investment and solid recruitment, there's no reason why we can't. Just hopefully avoid another Aston Villa!

[MacGruber]

It's a disaster. We all knew it was dependant on Celtic winning the cup and even those saying you can't count your chickens had them counted. Have been buzzing for group stage Europe since we secured 3rd. Can't believe Celtic couldn't do the business and it's gone.

Could also be the difference on Rocky and Triantis coming back or not. Dull one

[SunshineOnLeith]

That's incorrect. If we lose our initial tie we drop down to the Conference League third round.

Quite right, was reading the Wikipedia wrong.

[Chorley Hibee]

Not sure that's easier, to be fair

Especially when you factor in that we'll be unseeded in both competitions.

[lugz]

Having looked at possible opponents for both Europa and Conference once we inevitably drop down, we'll be lucky to get more than 2 rounds. Some very very good teams in both draws.

[NAE NOOKIE]

If we make group stage European football from this standing start it will be even more impressive than what we did in the league this season.

Never say never, but those smelly Weegie tramps have absolutely ****ed us !!! :grr:

[SunshineOnLeith]

Having looked at possible opponents for both Europa and Conference once we inevitably drop down, we'll be lucky to get more than 2 rounds. Some very very good teams in both draws.

A worse Hibs team than this one beat Luzern in the Conference third qualifying round not long ago, I'd be confident of us winning at least one tie as long as the draw doesn't totally screw us, but groups will need some combination of favourable draw/at least one phenomenal result

[DavieB]

So disappointing I’m gutted

Understandable, however it could have been much worse. The jambos would probably have beaten that Celtic team today

[skyehibee]

Having looked at possible opponents for both Europa and Conference once we inevitably drop down, we'll be lucky to get more than 2 rounds. Some very very good teams in both draws.

Where can I see a list of these?

[Hibees1973]

That isn’t going to happen. We won’t be seeded.

Celtic have ****ed us.

Eloquently put and correct.

Going to take some effort to get 8 Europa League games to Christmas, or 6 Conference League games to Christmas. If we went directly to a play off (Celtic winning the cup) the first leg was 21 August. Now that we are now down to the 2nd Qualifying round the first leg is 24 July.

A very early start, which does not help in any way. Particularly if we get a Scandi club who will be well into their season.

Can't polish a t*rd as they say.

But congrats to Aberdeen for hanging in there today, which you have to do against the OF.

[Cocaine&Caviar]

Really, really gutting. An absolute kick in the b*lls

[lugz]

Where can I see a list of these?

Wikipedia is updated already.

[JohnM1875]

Spewing.

[Chorley Hibee]

As I said on another thread.

In the last 5 years Hibs have finished third twice.

In both of those seasons third hasn't been enough for group stage European football.

Every other team who has finished third in that time frame (Hearts, Aberdeen) have qualified for European group stage football.

Our **** ****ing luck must have cost us some amount of money.

[CapitalGreen]

As I said on another thread.

In the last 5 years Hibs have finished third twice.

In both of those seasons third hasn't been enough for group stage European football.

Every other team who has finished third in that time frame (Hearts, Aberdeen) have qualified for European group stage football.

Our **** ****ing luck must have cost us some amount of money.

We lost the Cup Final in 2021, only got ourselves to blame for that one, not that it would have meant group stage football anyway.

It’s wasn’t bad luck that we didn’t finish 3rd in 2022, 2023 or 2024.

[badabing67]

As I said on another thread.

In the last 5 years Hibs have finished third twice.

In both of those seasons third hasn't been enough for group stage European football.

Every other team who has finished third in that time frame (Hearts, Aberdeen) have qualified for European group stage football.

Our **** ****ing luck must have cost us some amount of money.


The appointment of ***** managers certainly has

[B.H.F.C]

We got Luzern and Villa last time

Be impossible to qualify from the position we’re in

Need some luck in the draw, but I don’t think it’s impossible.

We got Villa in the playoff for the Conference. Win Q2 and Q3 in Europa and we don’t need to win a playoff to qualify. All is not lost yet!

[CapitalGreen]

Need some luck in the draw, but I don’t think it’s impossible.

We got Villa in the playoff for the Conference. Win Q2 and Q3 in Europa and we don’t need to win a playoff to qualify. All is not lost yet!

Beat a seeded team in Europa League Q2 > assume their seeding for Q3 > Beat an unseeded team in Q3 > Group stage football.

Easy.

[skyehibee]

Just have to pray we get kind draws now really. Could be worse we could be playing league cup group stage.

[Caversham Green]

Despite the disappointment, let's not forget that after a terrible start Hibs had the best finish to a season that they could reasonably achieve. We now have a difficult but not impossible journey to the money-spinning group stages of Europe.

And if we don't get there, let's do it again next season.

Oh and f*** Aberdeen, f*** Celtc and above all, F*** THE HEARTS.

[SteveHFC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250524/3ec4f7b19251702f9f729fe6d44ca49c.jpg


Swap United for us and that’s most likely who we’ll be facing in that round since we’re guranteed to be unseeded.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Prof. Shaggy]

It's maybe worth noting this group stage thing is bit of a poisoned chalice.

Neither Aberdeen nor Hearts were able cope. Both finished their group-stage seasons in the bottom 6.

Nothing wrong with a little revisionism.

[JohnM1875]

It's maybe worth noting this group stage thing is bit of a poisoned chalice.

Neither Aberdeen nor Hearts were able cope. Both finished their group-stage seasons in the bottom 6.

Nothing wrong with a little revisionism.

Aye, £5 mil is *****.

[Chorley Hibee]

Beat a seeded team in Europa League Q2 > assume their seeding for Q3 > Beat an unseeded team in Q3 > Group stage football.

Easy.

According to Wikipedia, there would still be a play-off round after Q3.

[CapitalGreen]

According to Wikipedia, there would still be a play-off round after Q3.

Yes, the Europa league play off round. Which regardless of our result guarantees group stage football.

[Chorley Hibee]

Yes, the Europa league play off round. Which regardless of our result guarantees group stage football.

Sorry, I get what you mean now.

I forgot losing the play-off round would result in dropping into the Conference League groups stages.

[Paul1642]

As the title says, looks like we need to win two ties, regardless of which two.

One free hit defeat along the way.

[Callum_62]

.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250524/a66dddd805645bbba3163b8805ee354b.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[H18 SFR]

League of Ireland teams regularly get to the group. We are capable.

[Chorley Hibee]

League of Ireland teams regularly get to the group. We are capable.

They mainly qualify via the Champions path which gives them much kinder/easier draws.

We won't get those draws.

[Prof. Shaggy]

Aye, £5 mil is *****.

Well, I suppose so.

[Brooster]

A sore one to take but there was nothing we could do about that today. We did our bit in finishing 3rd.

Still got at least 4 big games to look forward to including 2 good away trips hopefully with the potential to go further. Add in pre season in Holland then there's no shortage of opportunities to get the passports out.

All is not lost.

[Cabbage-Patch]

We're in the second EL qualifying round now, which is three ties from the group, but losing any of them drops us down to the next round of the Conference League.

So, we need to win two ties out of three. We can lose one but after that no **** ups.

Think it's an almost impossible task unfortunately. Unseeded for the 2nd round europa qualifier and likely to play an experienced European side, Shaktar, legia Warsaw etc.

Lose then we drop into 3rd round conference qualifier (I think we may be seeded for that?) Then if we get through that thenbit's conference play off round and we will likely play some form of Giant (in our terms) akin to Villa a few years ago.

Still in our hands but absolutely gutted for the players and the club. You also have to feel this will major implications for the recruitment over the summer. The lure of group stage football would have made us a lot more attractive to players not to mention we have probably now lost out on 5-6 million quid guaranteed for the group games.

If we somehow end up in groups now from this position it will arguably the biggest achievement in the clubs history.

[CentreForward]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250524/3ec4f7b19251702f9f729fe6d44ca49c.jpg


Swap United for us and that’s most likely who we’ll be facing in that round since we’re guranteed to be unseeded.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So does that now mean that we go in at the same stage as Dun Utd? If that’s the case then it’s an absolute joke. Totally gutted!

[Since452]

Knowing our luck we'll draw a very winnable tie against Real Madrid or something... Today is an absolute sickner. I doubt we'll make the group stages of Europe now. So deflating. I feel like we've lost a cup final today that's how gutting it is.

[SteveHFC]

So does that now mean that we go in at the same stage as Dun Utd? If that’s the case then it’s an absolute joke. Totally gutted!

It does. They go into the 2nd QF round of the Conference League.

[Cabbage-Patch]

We're in the second EL qualifying round now, which is three ties from the group, but losing any of them drops us down to the next round of the Conference League.

So, we need to win two ties out of three. We can lose one but after that no **** ups.

Think it's an almost impossible task unfortunately. Unseeded for the 2nd round europa qualifier and likely to play an experienced European side, Shaktar, legia Warsaw etc.

Lose then we drop into 3rd round conference qualifier (I think we may be unseeded even for that?) Then if we get through that thenbit's conference play off round and we will likely play some form of Giant (in our terms) akin to Villa a few years ago.

Still in our hands but absolutely gutted for the players and the club. You also have to feel this will have major implications for the recruitment over the summer. The lure of group stage football would have made us a lot more attractive to players not to mention we have probably now lost out on 5-6 million quid guaranteed for the group games.

If we somehow end up in groups now from this position it will arguably the biggest achievement in the clubs history.

[CentreForward]

Knowing our luck we'll draw a very winnable tie against Real Madrid or something... Today is an absolute sickner. I doubt we'll make the group stages of Europe now. So deflating. I feel like we've lost a cup final today that's how gutting it is.

Couldn’t agree more. Was just thinking a minute ago that this feels as bad as a cup final defeat. That horrible totally raw feeling!

[Unseen work]

So does that now mean that we go in at the same stage as Dun Utd? If that’s the case then it’s an absolute joke. Totally gutted!

United now go down a place and play an extra game I think?

[AFKA5814_Hibs]

So does that now mean that we go in at the same stage as Dun Utd? If that’s the case then it’s an absolute joke. Totally gutted!

Dundee United will go straight into the Conference qualifiers instead.

[SneakersO'Toole]

Think it's an almost impossible task unfortunately. Unseeded for the 2nd round europa qualifier and likely to play an experienced European side, Shaktar, legia Warsaw etc.

Lose then we drop into 3rd round conference qualifier (I think we may be unseeded even for that?) Then if we get through that thenbit's conference play off round and we will likely play some form of Giant (in our terms) akin to Villa a few years ago.

Still in our hands but absolutely gutted for the players and the club. You also have to feel this will have major implications for the recruitment over the summer. The lure of group stage football would have made us a lot more attractive to players not to mention we have probably now lost out on 5-6 million quid guaranteed for the group games.

If we somehow end up in groups now from this position it will arguably the biggest achievement in the clubs history.

And worse.... the £5 million goes to Aberdeen! Sickening. No other word for it.

[Unseen work]

Think it's an almost impossible task unfortunately. Unseeded for the 2nd round europa qualifier and likely to play an experienced European side, Shaktar, legia Warsaw etc.

Lose then we drop into 3rd round conference qualifier (I think we may be unseeded even for that?) Then if we get through that thenbit's conference play off round and we will likely play some form of Giant (in our terms) akin to Villa a few years ago.

Still in our hands but absolutely gutted for the players and the club. You also have to feel this will have major implications for the recruitment over the summer. The lure of group stage football would have made us a lot more attractive to players not to mention we have probably now lost out on 5-6 million quid guaranteed for the group games.

If we somehow end up in groups now from this position it will arguably the biggest achievement in the clubs history.

Yep it’s a sickener.

To think in the last couple of years Aberdeen have got European football to Christmas twice, giving them 12 million and sold miovski for a huge amount. They’ll likely get a fortune for Ferguson this summer too

We can’t compete with those finances at all

[CentreForward]

Dundee United will go straight into the Conference qualifiers instead.

Right so our only advantage over them is that we start with that EL qualifier and only a slim chance of progressing until dropping down to Conference.

[CentreForward]

And worse.... the £5 million goes to Aberdeen! Sickening. No other word for it.

Am so gutted am seriously considering going off to my bed but think instead I’ll get tucked into the drink!

[04Sauzee]

Yep it’s a sickener.

To think in the last couple of years Aberdeen have got European football to Christmas twice, giving them 12 million and sold miovski for a huge amount. They’ll likely get a fortune for Ferguson this summer too

We can’t compete with those finances at all
We may not be able to compete with the finances but we can have better recruitment. Their recruitment hasn't been the best recently.

We need to have a good window and have to get some bodies in early for Europe.

[Speedy]

Right so our only advantage over them is that we start with that EL qualifier and only a slim chance of progressing until dropping down to Conference.

They start in the 2nd conference qualifier. We start in the 2nd Europa league qualifier. So we're effectively 1 tie ahead because we have a safety net they don't have.

[One Day Soon]

Eloquently put and correct.

Going to take some effort to get 8 Europa League games to Christmas, or 6 Conference League games to Christmas. If we went directly to a play off (Celtic winning the cup) the first leg was 21 August. Now that we are now down to the 2nd Qualifying round the first leg is 24 July.

A very early start, which does not help in any way. Particularly if we get a Scandi club who will be well into their season.

Can't polish a t*rd as they say.

But congrats to Aberdeen for hanging in there today, which you have to do against the OF.

Absolutely **** Aberdeen. I hope they lose every game 21-0.

[brianmc]

What a ***** day.
However. The sheep had a chance to beat Celtc and they did - regardless of how pish a game it was.
We had a chance in both Cups to beat them and failed.
That's on us not them.

[Unseen work]

We may not be able to compete with the finances but we can have better recruitment. Their recruitment hasn't been the best recently.

We need to have a good window and have to get some bodies in early for Europe.

Very debatable

They’ve now finished 3rd and won a Scottish cup in the past 3 seasons

[IberianHibernian]

So does that now mean that we go in at the same stage as Dun Utd? If that’s the case then it’s an absolute joke. Totally gutted!Dundee United will be nearly as disappointed as us by today`s result . If Celtic had won , DU were guaranteed at least 2 rounds against good opposition with good crowds and TV money . Now they could be out after 1 round before the league starts . Now we`re guaranteed at least 2 ties , with a reasonable chance of at least 3 . Worth remembering that Hibs and DU will also have got more money from league position than Aberdeen , St Mirren and bottom 6 teams like Hearts .

[Paul1642]

We may not be able to compete with the finances but we can have better recruitment. Their recruitment hasn't been the best recently.

We need to have a good window and have to get some bodies in early for Europe.

Money always talk eventually and we can’t rely on them recruiting poorly again.

The saving grace for me is that our squad is currently considerably better than both Hearts and Aberdeen. It’s so key we retain as much of it as we can and hit the ground running before their new signings have time to settle.

[Since452]

Couldn’t agree more. Was just thinking a minute ago that this feels as bad as a cup final defeat. That horrible totally raw feeling!

Exactly mate.

[danhibees1875]

It's maybe worth noting this group stage thing is bit of a poisoned chalice.

Neither Aberdeen nor Hearts were able cope. Both finished their group-stage seasons in the bottom 6.

Nothing wrong with a little revisionism.

Aye, but all it does is hamper your league campaign a little, a league campaign where the primary goal is to qualify for Europe. :greengrin

[ChuckNor]

Still got it all in our hands. Absolutely gutted that Celtic decided to have such a horrific performance but there was always a chance of it. Some of the clubs that will be seeded won’t be as good as people think either. Anything possible.

First post in a long time. Our good run started when I stopped posting last year so I kept it quiet on here as I’m superstitious. Ach well!

[ancient hibee]

Yep it’s a sickener.

To think in the last couple of years Aberdeen have got European football to Christmas twice, giving them 12 million and sold miovski for a huge amount. They’ll likely get a fortune for Ferguson this summer too

We can’t compete with those finances at all

So they’ve had a great financial advantage over us this season yet finished behind us.

[Unseen work]

So they’ve had a great financial advantage over us this season yet finished behind us.

By 5 points, and they won a cup.

Ask most Hibs fans what they’d prefer.

[JohnM1875]

By 5 points, and they won a cup.

Ask most Hibs fans what they’d prefer.

Spot on. Always the Cup

[Cabbage-Patch]

Aye, but all it does is hamper your league campaign a little, a league campaign where the primary goal is to qualify for Europe. :greengrin

Killie went in same stage as we will be last season and they never quite recovered. The 6 million guaranteed prize money however might have cushioned the blow if we had a rubbish start to the league

[hibsbollah]

We’ll just have to do the hard yards ourselves.
Ive total confidence in Gray and his team to get a team on the park and compete. I saw Braga in the Europa League in the flesh and they were absolutely woeful. Theres a couple of other teams in the seeded pot who look no better than Luzern on paper.

We’re in Europe. Certain teams are in their bungalow beds. Need to enjoy it.

[04Sauzee]

By 5 points, and they won a cup.

Ask most Hibs fans what they’d prefer.

Still with a huge financial advantage.
How much money did they spend in the summer and January?
I'm not even sure I'd they would get the money back on any of their signings.

Will be interesting to see how they recruit in the summer.

I'm confident we will recruit well.

[Unseen work]

Still with a huge financial advantage.
How much money did they spend in the summer and January?
I'm not even sure I'd they would get the money back on any of their signings.

Will be interesting to see how they recruit in the summer.

I'm confident we will recruit well.

With a financial advantage yeah, which will only increase again this summer massively

As for recruitment I don’t know, they’ve still signed some quality players over the last couple of years. We had our best window in ages last summer, hopefully we do it again this summer

[gbhibby]

It is what it is. I am sure the will lots going on at Easter Road over next week.Look at the results a poor Rangers side achieved in Europe. You have to play what's in front of you, let's look forward to the European nights at Easter Road.

[JohnM1875]

Still with a huge financial advantage.
How much money did they spend in the summer and January?
I'm not even sure I'd they would get the money back on any of their signings.

Will be interesting to see how they recruit in the summer.

I'm confident we will recruit well.

They've made a **** tonne on transfers though. They've not spent outwith their means.

Get what your saying they've outspent us. But through class recruitment.

[ancient hibee]

By 5 points, and they won a cup.

Ask most Hibs fans what they’d prefer.
You’re missing the point, You’re moaning about Aberdeen’s financial position and I’m telling you that it did nothing for them in the league where we outlasted them. They didn’t win the cup because they had more money than us.If the money is so important why didn’t Celtic slaughter them.

[SteveHFC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250524/0c6bda49943efe5fe82e46778c29d978.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[04Sauzee]

They've made a **** tonne on transfers though. They've not spent outwith their means.

Get what your saying they've outspent us. But through class recruitment.

They done well with that striker who went to Spain but spent most of that pretty poorly, they sold the full back to Liverpool for silly money, now that was an incredible deal for them.

[Hibees1973]

I wouldn't dwell much on the money. The Yam and Aberdeen have had loads of European money over the years but finished below us.

For me it was having at least 6 European games, even possibly 8, in a league system up until Christmas.

We still have a chance, albeit a small one. But I am gutted at not having a whole load of guaranteed European games planned in the diary between September - December.

[JohnM1875]

They done well with that striker who went to Spain but spent most of that pretty poorly, they sold the full back to Liverpool for silly money, now that was an incredible deal for them.

Lewis Ferguson as well.

That's about £15 mil on three players

[Unseen work]

You’re missing the point, You’re moaning about Aberdeen’s financial position and I’m telling you that it did nothing for them in the league where we outlasted them. They didn’t win the cup because they had more money than us.If the money is so important why didn’t Celtic slaughter them.

I’m not complaining about it, I’m saying we can’t compete financially with them. I never said about on the park.

They spend more money than us and in theory should recruit better players. They’re going to take in 6m for Europe alone and then whatever they get for Ferguson, another huge advantage.

They had a sensation start to the season, we had a sensational finish. Not much between the two clubs.

You could say by spending money allowed them to recruit players good enough to win a cup and beat the champions of the previous god knows how many cups.

It’s not about us not winning the cup, but them spending money allows them to be in a greater position to accomplish what they did today. They’ll be stronger next season as a result.

You can’t deny money is important in being ‘the best of the rest’

[HibeeSince85]

Is there a list of the teams we can face in the first qualifier we play in the EL?

[One Day Soon]

We're not going to make group stages of anything. We might as well recognise that and look at what our focus needs to be next season, which is sustained league form with hopefully another European finish and perhaps better cup runs. I'll be surprised if our player shopping is now built on anything other than that expectation.

It's hard to overstate how financially damaging that result was for us today. The club will now recruit at a level commensurate with the likely outcome ahead of us which is a very limited amount of European football. Our chances of retaining either Rocky or Triantis or both are damaged by this and so is the extent of any new recruitment. Conversely Aberdeen will have a much bigger budget for recruitment than they would have anticipated. Yes, I know they previously had bigger money than us and didn't recruit brilliantly. However Thelin now has both time and money - which is what most managers need - and the prospect of a decent European run to offer the players he'll want to recruit. And I'd rather start with the bigger expected European revenue and have the opportunity to waste it or not on the quality of recruitment than not have it in the first place.

Just am immiserating day altogether and I wish an unlimited and unbounded amount of ill fortune on both Celtic and Aberdeen.

[badabing67]

Is there a list of the teams we can face in the first qualifier we play in the EL?


I think you just need to scroll back a page

[MARCHMONT HIBEE]

I think you just need to scroll back a page

Thing is
Realistically it’s a hard gig playing til Christmas in Europe and maintaining your Domestic form. Sunderland winning the play off may just guarantee a loan back and here’s hoping we get a reasonable draw and have a good day out!

[GreenCastle]

Dons getting group stage isn’t good for Hibs or Hearts and recruitment.

The only positive is they may well be over stretched in both competitions and league form may suffer.

The result today is a pain but could have been worse if Hearts had won it. They had an opportunity.

There is a part of me that was long term success at Hibs and being ready for any Europe adventure and win another cup in the near future.

It’s going to be very hard to get into groups but stranger things have happened.

[Chorley Hibee]

What's especially gutting, is that this was the final season, for the foreseeable, that either winning the cup/third will guarantee group stage European football.

Also, in typical fashion, Hibs are the only team to have finished third in this time and NOT secure group stage European football.

[DaveF]

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Braga, Lugano or Sherrif for me please.

I see that the Moldovan league consists of only 8 team and the grand total of 14 fixtures. Is that right?

[JohnM1875]

Braga, Lugano or Sherrif for me please.

I see that the Moldovan league consists of only 8 team and the grand total of 14 fixtures. Is that right?

Sheriff 🤞

[Chorley Hibee]

Braga, Lugano or Sherrif for me please.

I see that the Moldovan league consists of only 8 team and the grand total of 14 fixtures. Is that right?

Some of those seeded teams have to play in the first qualifying round.

There's a chance that those seeded/unseeded teams may not be the same come the end of the first qualifying round.

[CropleyWasGod]

Sheriff 🤞

Didn't Marshall have some time with them?

[Gordy M]

Some of those seeded teams have to play in the first qualifying round.

There's a chance that those seeded/unseeded teams may not be the same come the end of the first qualifying round.
Yeh i dont quite understand that graphic, surely there are winners from the 1st round as well?

[HendoDelivered]

Sheriff will be no mugs either tbf, beat Real at the Bernabeu a few years ago

[Chorley Hibee]

Yeh i dont quite understand that graphic, surely there are winners from the 1st round as well?

It's projected (based on their coefficient ranking).

Shaktar Donetsk, Legia Warsaw, Partizan Belgrade, Sheriff Tiraspol, CFR Cluj and Celje are all seeded in Q1.

The hope is that some of those will be knocked out, making our potential draw easier.

We won't see enough eliminated to make us a seed though.

[Gordy M]

It's projected (based on their coefficient ranking).

Shaktar Donetsk, Legia Warsaw, Partizan Belgrade, Sheriff Tiraspol, CFR Cluj and Celje are all seeded in Q1.

The hope is that some of those will be knocked out, making our potential draw easier.

We won't see enough eliminated to make us a seed though.

Ah got you:aok: thanks

[B.H.F.C]

We're not going to make group stages of anything. We might as well recognise that and look at what our focus needs to be next season, which is sustained league form with hopefully another European finish and perhaps better cup runs. I'll be surprised if our player shopping is now built on anything other than that expectation.

It's hard to overstate how financially damaging that result was for us today. The club will now recruit at a level commensurate with the likely outcome ahead of us which is a very limited amount of European football. Our chances of retaining either Rocky or Triantis or both are damaged by this and so is the extent of any new recruitment. Conversely Aberdeen will have a much bigger budget for recruitment than they would have anticipated. Yes, I know they previously had bigger money than us and didn't recruit brilliantly. However Thelin now has both time and money - which is what most managers need - and the prospect of a decent European run to offer the players he'll want to recruit. And I'd rather start with the bigger expected European revenue and have the opportunity to waste it or not on the quality of recruitment than not have it in the first place.

Just am immiserating day altogether and I wish an unlimited and unbounded amount of ill fortune on both Celtic and Aberdeen.

There’s no point in focussing on the league to help us achieve something we already have, European qualifiers. That’s the reward even if you win the cup next year. We need to win two ties to get in to the groups. It’s not impossible. It might not happen but we need to give ourselves a proper go at doing it. With the safety net of dropping in to the competition below it’s not as difficult as it used to be.

I actually think the result today will see us make moves quicker in the transfer market as well.

[Mcbizz1998]

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Lugano would be great. Just outside Milan so easy to get to and they finished 2 points ahead of Luzern this season so they can’t be that good.

Presume we would be away second leg as unseeded?

[CapitalGreen]

Lugano would be great. Just outside Milan so easy to get to and they finished 2 points ahead of Luzern this season so they can’t be that good.

Presume we would be away second leg as unseeded?

I think the order of home/away ties is done as part of the draw.

[Hibees1973]

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We need Ian Gordon and more importantly Black Knight to step up big time for us to compete with this lot. They have already, but this is another level.

To win a couple of two legged ties and get into the league phase of either competition is a big ask. It's ironic that if we get into the Conference League phase we could win a few games given the sides who have got there in previous years.

UEFA don't half do some gymnastics and permutations with these draws.

[Col2]

We need Ian Gordon and more importantly Black Knight to step up big time for us to compete with this lot. They have already, but this is another level.

To win a couple of two legged ties and get into the league phase of either competition is a big ask. It's ironic that if we get into the Conference League phase we could win a few games given the sides who have got there in previous years.

UEFA don't half do some gymnastics and permutations with these draws.

If we win the Europa qualifying round 2 (unseeded) we will likely be seeded for round 3 (and last step to guaranteed group stage conference league worse case). Bonkers.

[Unseen work]

We need Ian Gordon and more importantly Black Knight to step up big time for us to compete with this lot. They have already, but this is another level.

To win a couple of two legged ties and get into the league phase of either competition is a big ask. It's ironic that if we get into the Conference League phase we could win a few games given the sides who have got there in previous years.

UEFA don't half do some gymnastics and permutations with these draws.

I’ve no doubt they’ll back us, but I don’t think they’ll do anything extra for the qualifying game, on the hope we get group stages and the additional money if that makes sense.

Could sign a player on a fortune only to still go out.

[04Sauzee]

I’ve no doubt they’ll back us, but I don’t think they’ll do anything extra for the qualifying game, on the hope we get group stages and the additional money if that makes sense.

Could sign a player on a fortune only to still go out.
Will they not back us to try and be best of the rest again? Do well in cup competitions?

[Unseen work]

Will they not back us to try and be best of the rest again? Do well in cup competitions?

I’ve no doubt they’ll do that.

I mean I don’t think they’ll push beyond our means for a one off European game

[Unseen work]

From Hibs observer

If Hibs exit at the Europa League second round, which they will enter as an unseeded team, they will drop into the third round of Europa Conference League qualifying - again, likely as an unseeded team.

If Hibs progress through the Europa League rounds, it will guarantee eight league phase fixtures - four at Easter Road, and four away from home. If they drop down to Europa Conference League qualifying and progress through, it will be six games - three home, three away.

[Unseen work]

Scenario: Aberdeen win the cup
The Scottish Cup winners, as well as winning one of the most venerable trophies in the game, are further rewarded with entry to the play-off round of the Europa League. Win the two-legged play-off tie, and the club advances to the league phase of UEFA's secondary continental tournament. Lose, and the club parachutes into the league phase of the tertiary-level Conference League.

If Aberdeen win the cup, they will take the play-off round spot despite finishing fifth in the Scottish Premiership and not automatically qualifying for Europe.

In this scenario, Hibs will almost certainly have a more arduous journey to league-phase football.

They will enter at the second qualifying round (2QR) of the Europa League as an unseeded team, which throws up some tricky ties. European football can obviously produce surprises, but a quick glance at the already-qualified teams in the Europa League first qualifying round (1QR) shows seeded clubs including Ukrainian cracks Shakhtar Donetsk, Legia Warsaw of Poland, Serbian side Partizan Belgrade, Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova, Romanians CFR Cluj, and Celje of Slovenia. Assuming that all teams with a higher coefficient progress, then there are some rather daunting potential match-ups. Portuguese side Braga have also qualified as a seeded team in the 2QR.

Unseeded teams in the 1QR include Paks of Hungary and the Kazakh side Aktobe.

The draw for the third qualifying round (3QR) will be made before Hibs contest their 2QR tie, so they will know who lies in wait if they advance. If they defeat a team with a high enough coefficient to be seeded in the 3QR, then Hibs will take their spot, which would, in theory, give them a more manageable tie against teams from, for example, Norway or Switzerland.

If they progress but end up on the unseeded side of the draw, then they will come up against the same big names from the 2QR – assuming they all advance.

Win their 3QR tie and Hibs would enter the draw for the Europa League play-off round on the unseeded side of the draw, along with Aberdeen, and guarantee themselves league-phase football in either the Europa League or Conference League.

So, in short, Hibs would need to win at least two knock-out games to guarantee league-phase European football, and they would almost certainly have to overcome formidable opposition in the process.

But if Hibs lose their 2QR tie, they would drop down to the Conference League 3QR, and because seeding is based on coefficients, there is a strong chance that Hibs could be unseeded. Teams use their club coefficient or country coefficient, whichever is higher, and in this case, Scotland's coefficient (7.110) is higher than Hibs' (4.5).

Many of the potential opponents at this stage are still to be confirmed, but there could be some potentially treacherous ties.

If Hibs win their 3QR tie by beating a seeded team, they will take their seeding for the play-off round, which would, in theory, reduce their chances of facing a much higher-ranked opponent.

If Hibs win their 3QR tie by beating an unseeded team, the prospect of facing fearsome opposition in a repeat of 2023's encounter with Aston Villa becomes very much a possibility.

Should Hibs lose their Europa League 2QR tie, they will drop into the Conference League 3QR. But if they lose either the 3QR tie or the Conference League play-off tie should they advance, they will drop out of Europe entirely.

In short, Aberdeen winning the cup would make things far more complex for Hibs.

[B.H.F.C]

From Hibs observer

If Hibs exit at the Europa League second round, which they will enter as an unseeded team, they will drop into the third round of Europa Conference League qualifying - again, likely as an unseeded team.

If Hibs progress through the Europa League rounds, it will guarantee eight league phase fixtures - four at Easter Road, and four away from home. If they drop down to Europa Conference League qualifying and progress through, it will be six games - three home, three away.

What they omit to say there is that if we get to the Europa League playoff, we are guaranteed group stages in one of the two competitions.

[Unseen work]

What they omit to say there is that if we get to the Europa League playoff, we are guaranteed group stages in one of the two competitions.

Yeah I found an article from yesterday which I’ve just posted that has a lot more detail

Hopefully a bit of luck in the Europa League Q2 draw!

[Hibees1973]

I’ve no doubt they’ll back us, but I don’t think they’ll do anything extra for the qualifying game, on the hope we get group stages and the additional money if that makes sense.

Could sign a player on a fortune only to still go out.

Agree.

You would expect prior to today's game the club would have had two budget scenarios.

Now we know the £4m+ bounty is no longer guaranteed you would expect they will reluctantly, need to scale back plans in the short term. The size and quality of squad needed for domestic football only compared to having this and 10 European games (if we were directly in a Europa League play-off game) is night and day.

To compete properly and effectively in the Europa / Conference League phase needs a different level of budget. Much as the club will have ambitions to reach the league phase of either European competition the result today has made this a lot less possible.

[One Day Soon]

There’s no point in focussing on the league to help us achieve something we already have, European qualifiers. That’s the reward even if you win the cup next year. We need to win two ties to get in to the groups. It’s not impossible. It might not happen but we need to give ourselves a proper go at doing it. With the safety net of dropping in to the competition below it’s not as difficult as it used to be.

I actually think the result today will see us make moves quicker in the transfer market as well.


The club is not going to speculatively spend money on players for a European run that is highly unlikely to materialise. There's no point kidding ourselves on that they will. Particularly since we are still at the tail end of a squad slimming exercise.

What I am saying is that today's game leaves us in the scenario that we are extremely unlikely to now make group stages and that the same will be true next year for coefficient reasons - assuming we qualify for Europe next year. So quite plausible group stages have been pulled from beneath our feet this season and all but disappeared completely for next. The club is not going to even remotely break the bank for these two prospects, they are going instead to aim for incremental improvement and consolidation. I'd love us to win those two ties but if we are going to do that it will have to be with a squad that looks very similar to this year's one - though quite possibly without either Rocky or Triantis.

We'd have to overcome the deeply ingrained habits of very many recent decades to move early in the transfer market and I can't see that happening.

[B.H.F.C]

The club is not going to speculatively spend money on players for a European run that is highly unlikely to materialise. There's no point kidding ourselves on that they will. Particularly since we are still at the tail end of a squad slimming exercise.

What I am saying is that today's game leaves us in the scenario that we are extremely unlikely to now make group stages and that the same will be true next year for coefficient reasons - assuming we qualify for Europe next year. So quite plausible group stages have been pulled from beneath our feet this season and all but disappeared completely for next. The club is not going to even remotely break the bank for these two prospects, they are going instead to aim for incremental improvement and consolidation. I'd love us to win those two ties but if we are going to do that it will have to be with a squad that looks very similar to this year's one - though quite possibly without either Rocky or Triantis.

We'd have to overcome the deeply ingrained habits of very many recent decades to move early in the transfer market and I can't see that happening.

Do you not think the current ownership have shown a willingness to speculate a bit financially? Misspent, certainly, but spent nonetheless.

We’ve spent near record fees on strikers the last two summers, I think we’ll spend significantly again this year. We don’t need to sign an entire team, I think we will be in a much healthier position than we usually are for a July qualifier.

[CapitalGreen]

The club is not going to speculatively spend money on players for a European run that is highly unlikely to materialise. There's no point kidding ourselves on that they will. Particularly since we are still at the tail end of a squad slimming exercise.

What I am saying is that today's game leaves us in the scenario that we are extremely unlikely to now make group stages and that the same will be true next year for coefficient reasons - assuming we qualify for Europe next year. So quite plausible group stages have been pulled from beneath our feet this season and all but disappeared completely for next. The club is not going to even remotely break the bank for these two prospects, they are going instead to aim for incremental improvement and consolidation. I'd love us to win those two ties but if we are going to do that it will have to be with a squad that looks very similar to this year's one - though quite possibly without either Rocky or Triantis.

We'd have to overcome the deeply ingrained habits of very many recent decades to move early in the transfer market and I can't see that happening.

Deeply ingrained in who? Malky Mackay who has been in the DoF job just a year? Our head of recruitment who has been in the job just over 6 months? Our newly appointed directors from BKFC? Our new CEO who hasn’t started work yet? We’ve already moved early getting McGrath on a pre-contract.

[One Day Soon]

Do you not think the current ownership have shown a willingness to speculate a bit financially? Misspent, certainly, but spent nonetheless.

We’ve spent near record fees on strikers the last two summers, I think we’ll spend significantly again this year. We don’t need to sign an entire team, I think we will be in a much healthier position than we usually are for a July qualifier.


Yes they have, but we have also been sent the clearest of signals in the course of this season that this was a trend that was not going to continue. I have been one of their fiercest critics for both wasting colossal amounts of money and then not spending more for this season in anticipation of the large numbers of players that would be moving on and the wage bill freed up. Even I couldn't complain or criticise if they decide to spend within the envelope that today's result dictates rather than what might have been.

So yes I think we will spend, but it will be on the basis of strengthening our current position domestically - not on the basis of attempting to get past all the qualifying ties.

[One Day Soon]

Deeply ingrained in who? Malky Mackay who has been in the DoF job just a year? Our head of recruitment who has been in the job just over 6 months? Our newly appointed directors from BKFC? Our new CEO who hasn’t started work yet? We’ve already moved early getting McGrath on a pre-contract.

Well, it's a fair point that personnel have changed so perhaps that will change our approach. I wouldn't set too much store by a pre-contract agreement (great thought that is) in terms of its implications for other signings because by definition a pre-contract agreement has to take place early on. However if we DO we bring in our new signings in the next five weeks I'll be absolutely delighted because that will give them four weeks to settle in before our first European ties.

[Largshibby]

Lugano would be great. Just outside Milan so easy to get to and they finished 2 points ahead of Luzern this season so they can’t be that good.

Presume we would be away second leg as unseeded?

Lugano would be my choice. Been a couple of times in summer including on route to Lucerne. Absolutely spectacular location.

[B.H.F.C]

Yes they have, but we have also been sent the clearest of signals in the course of this season that this was a trend that was not going to continue. I have been one of their fiercest critics for both wasting colossal amounts of money and then not spending more for this season in anticipation of the large numbers of players that would be moving on and the wage bill freed up. Even I couldn't complain or criticise if they decide to spend within the envelope that today's result dictates rather than what might have been.

So yes I think we will spend, but it will be on the basis of strengthening our current position domestically - not on the basis of attempting to get past all the qualifying ties.

Do the two things not go hand in hand? It’s just about strengthening full stop.

I haven’t picked up on those signals in all honesty. I think the made a conscious decision not to add for the sake of it in January. The one player we signed, who we could have had on a pre contract, we paid a six figure fee to get in straight away instead.

Nobody can deny that today was a big blow but, jeezo, some of the stuff tonight is a bit OTT for me.

[S4uzee]

It’s a complete disaster. First game of the season will be a two legged tie against good opposition in July with a team that will be different come the end of August. Missed out on millions and potentially good trips up until Christmas. Today had the feeling that we lost a cup final

[One Day Soon]

Do the two things not go hand in hand? It’s just about strengthening full stop.

I haven’t picked up on those signals in all honesty. I think the made a conscious decision not to add for the sake of it in January. The one player we signed, who we could have had on a pre contract, we paid a six figure fee to get in straight away instead.

Nobody can deny that today was a big blow but, jeezo, some of the stuff tonight is a bit OTT for me.


MM was explicit in interviews about reducing the wage bill. We are already a long way down that path but we are hardly likely to go straight back into eliminating the savings made.

I agree that there's some OTT stuff and that our turnaround season has been exceptional. I just think we need to be realistic in that what we will now spend is going to be very substantially less than it would have been in the scenario of Celtic bothering to turn up today.

[Silky]

It’s a complete disaster. First game of the season will be a two legged tie against good opposition in July with a team that will be different come the end of August. Missed out on millions and potentially good trips up until Christmas. Today had the feeling that we lost a cup final

We missed out on millions and trips until Christmas when Celtic put us out the Scottish! After that, it was never guaranteed, never ours to claim.

[NAE NOOKIE]

It’s a complete disaster. First game of the season will be a two legged tie against good opposition in July with a team that will be different come the end of August. Missed out on millions and potentially good trips up until Christmas. Today had the feeling that we lost a cup final

Aye it did to be honest. But the fact is we didn't, all that happened was a club who were about 10/1 on to beat a team who have been their whipping boys for a decade failed to do it.

So disaster it may be, but it's not a disaster of Hibs making. I for one am going to file this under it is what it is and look forward to a Hibs team who have done extremely well this season trying to build on that performance next season. If we can build on this team and avoid the ridiculously unlucky draws we got in the cups this season, then hopefully we can at least make a cup final, with if nothing else a better chance of winning it than Aberdeen allegedly had today.

[B.H.F.C]

MM was explicit in interviews about reducing the wage bill. We are already a long way down that path but we are hardly likely to go straight back into eliminating the savings made.

I agree that there's some OTT stuff and that our turnaround season has been exceptional. I just think we need to be realistic in that what we will now spend is going to be very substantially less than it would have been in the scenario of Celtic bothering to turn up today.

If we have any sense at all, we’ll have budgeted for both outcomes.

It’s obvious that we’ll spend less without the guaranteed money. But I still think we’ll spend significant cash, by our standards. Mackay has spoken, since the moment he came in, about the need to cut down the squad. And we have. But in the meantime we’ve spent a massive fee on Bowie along with other fees along the way.

We have Gayle, Myko, Kwon, Boruc and Bursik of the wage bill. Triantis, Rocky and Hoilett who may or may not be back. Then you have the likes of Vente and Youan who may be sold. There is loads of scope for us to do plenty with the squad and I believe we will. Today is garbage, it’s something that we’ve missed out on. But it’s also something we’ve never had and it’s not stopped the ownership spending before, I don’t think it will now.

[overdrive]

Absolutely **** Aberdeen. I hope they lose every game 21-0.

I hope every player breaks their leg in a career ending injury

[JohnM1875]

Still spewing.

[Phil MaGlass]

Dont care, the fact we have ANY fn game in. Europe makes me happy. F, Sellik F Aberdeen , dont fn care

[Since452]

Genuinely not felt this bad since the Livingston cup final. Rediculous because we're still in Europe and had a great season. Mrs fell out with me for being miserable. Bloody football.

[Stuart93]

Jesus christ some of the reactions today 😂

[matty_f]

We missed out on millions and trips until Christmas when Celtic put us out the Scottish! After that, it was never guaranteed, never ours to claim.

Spot on.

Today was a lifeline that we didn’t get. At the start of the season, third place gets the European route we’re in, and the cup winners get that European route.

We’ve not lost anything today, we’ve got what we earned and had we been the ones to beat Celtic earlier in the competition, there’s every chance we’d have earned the better route instead.

It is what it is, we can be frustrated that we didn’t win the cup but we started the day with two qualifying rounds to go in the Europa League and that’s how we’ve finished the day.

[EGL2000]

Absolutely gutted

[EGL2000]

Spot on.

Today was a lifeline that we didn’t get. At the start of the season, third place gets the European route we’re in, and the cup winners get that European route.

We’ve not lost anything today, we’ve got what we earned and had we been the ones to beat Celtic earlier in the competition, there’s every chance we’d have earned the better route instead.

It is what it is, we can be frustrated that we didn’t win the cup but we started the day with two qualifying rounds to go in the Europa League and that’s how we’ve finished the day.

We are the only Scottish team ever to get the 3rd position European place instead of the cup winners. Not just once, but twice!

[Musselbound]

Was always out of our hands, a bitter pill to swallow though after an amazing season.

All the club can do now is start the prep and recruitment for Europe/next season.

It becomes a taller order to get to the group stages, but if we get investment and solid recruitment, there's no reason why we can't. Just hopefully avoid another Aston Villa!

Agree that it was pretty much out of our hands, other than if we beat Celtic in the cup. Also we knew the rules so were always relying on other teams. Disappointing when it seemed so close but also worth remembering most of us would've bitten your hand off for any kind of European football just a few months ago.

[badabing67]

Spot on.

Today was a lifeline that we didn’t get. At the start of the season, third place gets the European route we’re in, and the cup winners get that European route.

We’ve not lost anything today, we’ve got what we earned and had we been the ones to beat Celtic earlier in the competition, there’s every chance we’d have earned the better route instead.

It is what it is, we can be frustrated that we didn’t win the cup but we started the day with two qualifying rounds to go in the Europa League and that’s how we’ve finished the day.


Absolutely bang on

[MJ hibs]

Today showed that good seasons are a lot about luck rather than building a good team. Aberdeen/Thelin are ******ing abject (fewer points than the saints since November) but they got a favourable draw in the cup and came up against the bigger teams at the right time.

[MacGruber]

We missed out on millions and trips until Christmas when Celtic put us out the Scottish! After that, it was never guaranteed, never ours to claim.

True but fact of the matter is we have been buzzing for group stage football since securing 3rd and it is the disappointment that hasn't materialised. Anyone claiming they hadn't counted on Celtic winning the final is at it. We knew Aberdeen had the chance to nick it but nobody thought they would.

Gutted. That result is such a massive swing in our fortunes

[TheHibernator]

True but fact of the matter is we have been buzzing for group stage football since securing 3rd and it is the disappointment that hasn't materialised. Anyone claiming they hadn't counted on Celtic winning the final is at it. We knew Aberdeen had the chance to nick it but nobody thought they would.

Gutted. That result is such a massive swing in our fortunes

Agree

[Springbank]

Does this mean we put Vente & Youan in the shop window by playing them as we beat Anderlect in Europa League Q2 qualifiers?

Then sell them before round Q3...

[Donegal Hibby]

I hope every player breaks their leg in a career ending injury

Twice now you have commented on your wish /hope , Nisbet /players break their legs . I think we all hope rival players pick up knocks / minor injuries and teams are weakened against ours but career ending injuries I don’t want to see any players get no matter what team they play for. Hoping you have a rethink on this as it really isn’t what we are all about mate 👍.

[SaulGoodman]

Jesus christ some of the reactions today 😂

Right? Aye it’s **** but what can you do?

Talk of being miserable all day, falling out with wives. How will we ever financially recover. Hearts and Aberdeen are going to run away from us because we missed out on 5 million. No one is going to want to sign for us because we don’t have guaranteed European games until Christmas.

Come on to ****. We’re still in Europe. We still finished 3rd. We’ve still god SDG at the helm and a good team.

Excited to see who we sign and our opponents in Europe.

[hibsbollah]

Right? Aye it’s **** but what can you do?

Talk of being miserable all day, falling out with wives. How will we ever financially recover. Hearts and Aberdeen are going to run away from us because we missed out on 5 million. No one is going to want to sign for us because we don’t have guaranteed European games until Christmas.

Come on to ****. We’re still in Europe. We still finished 3rd. We’ve still god SDG at the helm and a good team.

Excited to see who we sign and our opponents in Europe.

Exactly right. I would have assumed some of the melodrama and ripped knitting was jambo brokebackers come over for a giggle, but some well kent faces on here seem to be afflicted too.

[Spike Mandela]

We have a very good team and have kept most of it together plus we have David Gray. Why can't we win oir qualifiers?

[Gmack7]

It must have been asked but what are the dates for our 1st games?

[SteveHFC]

It must have been asked but what are the dates for our 1st games?

24th and 31st july

[makaveli1875]

We have a very good team and have kept most of it together plus we have David Gray. Why can't we win oir qualifiers?

Depends who we get drawn against i suppose

[DIXIHIBS]

Right? Aye it’s **** but what can you do?

Talk of being miserable all day, falling out with wives. How will we ever financially recover. Hearts and Aberdeen are going to run away from us because we missed out on 5 million. No one is going to want to sign for us because we don’t have guaranteed European games until Christmas.

Come on to ****. We’re still in Europe. We still finished 3rd. We’ve still god SDG at the helm and a good team.

Excited to see who we sign and our opponents in Europe.

Hearts and Dons have had the financial windfall over the last few seasons...have they ran away from us? No. The money they've earned has been wasted. We finished above them both this season. Hertz in the bottom 6. So you're correct, a bit gutted yesterday tbh, but we are still in Europe, not playing group stage league cup.

[CallumHibs07]

We have a very good team and have kept most of it together plus we have David Gray. Why can't we win oir qualifiers?

we don't have a very good team though. we'll get passed off the park by any half decent european side.

[Onion]

We have a very good team and have kept most of it together plus we have David Gray. Why can't we win oir qualifiers?

Aberdeen are able to plan, recruit and build for 8 tough Euro games. If Hibs were to somehow get through, we can do none of that.

[hibsbollah]

we don't have a very good team though. we'll get passed off the park by any half decent european side.

Because they are superior, right? Like Celtic’s players are superior to Baaberdeen’s you mean?

Saying ‘we don’t have a very good team’ after the season we’ve had is frankly bizarre.

[oneone73]

We are the only Scottish team ever to get the 3rd position European place instead of the cup winners. Not just once, but twice!

Three times. Remember 1995, when Raith Rovers won the League Cup.

[CapitalGreen]

Recent record against seeded sides in Europe:

2016: v Brondby - won away tie but ko’d on penalties.
2018: v Asteras - won
2018: v Molde - drew home tie, Haaland the difference away
2021: v Rijeka - Even tie until McGregor red card
2023: v Luzern - won
2023: v Villa - pumped

[Heisenberg]

Recent record against seeded sides in Europe:

2016: v Brondby - won away tie but ko’d on penalties.
2018: v Asteras - won
2018: v Molde - drew home tie, Haaland the difference away
2021: v Rijeka - Even tie until McGregor red card
2023: v Luzern - won
2023: v Villa - pumped

**** it you’ve convinced me! Group stages here we come

[Bobby's Cinema]

We only need to win two ties to be exactly where Aberdeen are.

We only need to win one of two ties to get a play-off for the conference groups.

It's still all there in our hands.

[EGL2000]

We have a very good team and have kept most of it together plus we have David Gray. Why can't we win oir qualifiers?

If you have a look at potential ties we are going to need to beat a team likely at the level of Celtic or higher at some point. On a one off that's doable, but over 2 legs proves really hard.

[JoeT_WasTheBest]

we don't have a very good team though. we'll get passed off the park by any half decent european side.

Deary me.

[Danderhall Hibs]

we don't have a very good team though. we'll get passed off the park by any half decent european side.

That’s the spirit!

[LewysGot2]

Spot on.

Today was a lifeline that we didn’t get. At the start of the season, third place gets the European route we’re in, and the cup winners get that European route.

We’ve not lost anything today, we’ve got what we earned and had we been the ones to beat Celtic earlier in the competition, there’s every chance we’d have earned the better route instead.

It is what it is, we can be frustrated that we didn’t win the cup but we started the day with two qualifying rounds to go in the Europa League and that’s how we’ve finished the day.

Thank you for this post. I've been a little bewildered at the extreme reactions of some disappointed folk to something that was the straightforward situation all season about the European spots. There's been no sudden conspiracy, no need to get so angry at either finallist yesterday and, not going to lie, in 2016 us, as a lower league club, getting into Europe by the same rules was absolutely magic and Brondby away is still my favourite ever European trip. Not once did I stop to think "oh the poor side losing out in the SPL - a whole league above us.

Yes, group stages would have financially been a bonus but we were only ever getting it off the back of Celtic. Not ourselves. Feels like too many chickens had been counted in the last week. Dinnae spend money you dinnae have, until you have it. It wasn't ours to lose...

Well done Hibs for finishing 3rd. We are the 3rd best team - the league doesn't lie.Its a great place to be and good progress in a year. Let's kick on. Forget what others may or may not do.

[CapitalGreen]

If you have a look at potential ties we are going to need to beat a team likely at the level of Celtic or higher at some point. On a one off that's doable, but over 2 legs proves really hard.

Not necessarily, due to when the draws occur.

The draws for Q3 and the PO rounds occur before the previous round ties have been played. If we eliminate a seeded team, we would assume their coefficient ranking and therefore if they were seeded in the next round we would be facing an unseeded team.

[hibee316]

Hopefully everyone has cheered up a bit.

I think we can do it!

If we don't, then we would have been in real trouble in the euro leagues anyway.

Two ties from the group stage!

[Springbank]

June 18th for the draw
24 July first leg

I would say our top priority is resolving the Triantis situation as quickly as possible as our midfield is a different animal with him at the base - that is a difficult one for the board but, as with anything in life, money can solve the problem. We may need to pay over the odds, but he is worth the gamble (we've known him for 18 months, seen him develop, turning into an international standard player, young enough to make multiples (McGinn style) when he moves on in 12 or 24 months time)

Getting him in is make or break, for my money, in terms of European progress

[green with envy]

It’s a complete disaster. First game of the season will be a two legged tie against good opposition in July with a team that will be different come the end of August. Missed out on millions and potentially good trips up until Christmas. Today had the feeling that we lost a cup final

A complete disaster, are you having a laugh. What would have been a disaster is if we had finished bottom six. You need to go and have yourself a reality check. Finishing the league in third place regardless of what European stage we get into will never be a disaster.

[EGL2000]

June 18th for the draw
24 July first leg

I would say our top priority is resolving the Triantis situation as quickly as possible as our midfield is a different animal with him at the base - that is a difficult one for the board but, as with anything in life, money can solve the problem. We may need to pay over the odds, but he is worth the gamble (we've known him for 18 months, seen him develop, turning into an international standard player, young enough to make multiples (McGinn style) when he moves on in 12 or 24 months time)

Getting him in is make or break, for my money, in terms of European progress

Yeah I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be bidding one million ISH. Think he's a guaranteed 4 million plus player after another season with us. Only way I see is loosing money on him is a freak injury. Get the money out!

[Islington Hibs]

Too much pessimism here. Was yesterday dissapinting -Yes. Will it be tough -yes. Can we do it. Of course we can! This is the most together Hibs team that is not just well organised but plays with cutting edge and verve that I have seen in a long time. Go in with a positive attitude and we have a decent chance.

[SaulGoodman]

we don't have a very good team though. we'll get passed off the park by any half decent european side.

Wow

[HFC93]

we don't have a very good team though. we'll get passed off the park by any half decent european side.

Yesterday was a sickner but the head loss from a few on here is crazy.

[Donegal Hibby]

we don't have a very good team though. we'll get passed off the park by any half decent european side.

Our team has done remarkably in its after finishing 3rd and I have no doubt we will strengthen in the summer . Already signed one of our rivals better players too.

[SunshineOnLeith]

we don't have a very good team though. we'll get passed off the park by any half decent european side.

If that's your attitude why did you even want us to get automatic group stage? Just fancy watching us get (presumably) pumped every Thursday for a laugh?

[NadeAteMyLunch!]

Hopefully everyone has cheered up a bit.

I think we can do it!

If we don't, then we would have been in real trouble in the euro leagues anyway.

Two ties from the group stage!

The irony is, we will have to play better teams to qualify than we would in the actual group stage. As mad as that is. Don’t see any dross like Petrocub or whatever they are called as potential opponents to qualify

[Chorley Hibee]

The irony is, we will have to play better teams to qualify than we would in the actual group stage. As mad as that is. Don’t see any dross like Petrocub or whatever they are called as potential opponents to qualify

A lot of these sides (Petrocub, Larne etc) manage to make the group stages because they're initially in the Champions League qualifiers.

Once they're knocked out of those, they enter the Champions Path of the Europa League qualifying rounds.

The Champions Path is immeasurably easier than the main path, and as an example, Petrocub only had to beat The New Saints (Wales) to guarantee themselves group stage European football last season.

Larne only had to beat Ballkani (Kosovo) and Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar) to enter the group stages.

Being in the main path (the path for clubs who are not league winners) we do not have the luxury of these draws.

[CallumHibs07]

If that's your attitude why did you even want us to get automatic group stage? Just fancy watching us get (presumably) pumped every Thursday for a laugh?

There are some awful teams in the conference league. Hearts only had to beat the Moldovan farmers to get to the knockouts.

If we get a Braga or Midtjylland in the qualifiers it will be embarrassing. Best we can hope for is a Sheriff type and somehow fluke it.

[Donegal Hibby]

There are some awful teams in the conference league. Hearts only had to beat the Moldovan farmers to get to the knockouts.

If we get a Braga or Midtjylland in the qualifiers it will be embarrassing. Best we can hope for is a Sheriff type and somehow fluke it.

You’re trying hard I’ll give you that !

[Stuart93]

This thread is an infestation

[greenlad]

Three times. Remember 1995, when Raith Rovers won the League Cup.

Finished above Celtic and didn't even get a European place for 3rd in 1995!

[oneone73]

Finished above Celtic and didn't even get a European place for 3rd in 1995!

Yep, and only 1 point off second iirc. Puts this season into perspective.