Hibernian's Conference League second-leg against Gent is the club's biggest game since the 2016 Scottish Cup Final, according to Tam McManus. The former Hibs striker rates the tie as 50/50 but believes a packed Easter Road can roar the team into the Conference League proper.
A decade of waiting
There's no other way of putting it. Hibs' Conference League second-leg against Gent tonight is the club's biggest game since the 2016 Scottish Cup Final. That's how important it is to the supporters.
That day at Hampden a decade ago is etched in history. It was unforgettable, memorable, iconic - whatever you want to call it. For the fans, that will probably never be beaten because it had been so long since they got their hands on that trophy. But in terms of a game's magnitude and what it means? This European tie is the biggest since then.
A new hero needed
In that final, David Gray obviously made himself a Hibs legend by scoring the winner. But at Easter Road tonight, someone else has to be the hero. Ironically, the manager now needs one of his players to step up and have a David Gray moment by getting them into the group stage in Europe for the first time ever.
This is absolutely massive for my old club. With the second-leg at home, it's a huge opportunity for them. I watched the first game in Gent and I don't see anything to fear for Hibs. But this will be a totally different game. David's team went over to Belgium and parked the bus to get a 0-0, let's be honest.
Fans and owners
But I've played at Easter Road on European nights. From the first whistle, the Hibs supporters will be roaring the team forward. So Gent will be looking to pick their moments on the counter-attack. Do I make Hibs favourites to go through? I reckon it's still at 50/50 tie. But what a chance they've got to go and make some history of their own.
It's not just about the football. It's about giving the fans something back. Supporters from other Scottish clubs have enjoyed great trips abroad in the group stage in recent years, while Hibs punters have had to sit back and watch. So to guarantee six games in the Conference League - and three away trips - would be massive for them.
And for the owners at Hibs, it's also so important. They've put a lot of money into the club. You saw their generosity last week in Gent when they put money behind the bar at the Hibs fan zone. My two mates were there and they said it was outstanding - they never put their hands in their pockets the whole day and there were 900 supporters there.
Pressure on the manager
Now the players have to repay the fans and the owners. If they can go through, it would be huge for the manager as well. It's a weird one with David. From playing at Hibs, I know how difficult that job is. You have to win games playing in a certain style. The only manager who has done that in the last 25 years is Tony Mowbray. David is more pragmatic but - because of that goal at Hampden - he's an icon at the club.
After the defeat in Kosovo in their first qualifier, there was real pressure on him. But they won the return leg then got a good result in Macedonia against Shkendija. This is the most solid Hibs team I've seen in a long time. But it's at the other end where they need to improve, in their creativity and scoring goals.
That's why I say someone has to step up on Thursday night. Whether that's Martin Boyle again, Nathan Lowe or Owen Elding. Someone in the final third must come up with a bit of magic against Gent and make something happen. This tie is going to be tight. I don't see it being 3-2 or 4-2, it's more likely to be 1-0 or 2-1 either way. So a new hero has to emerge, just like David did against Rangers 10 years ago.
Elding's opportunity
Elding might be the one, even though he missed a penalty in Belgium last week. I was really excited when they signed this boy because I'd spoken to guys I know in Ireland like Stephen Kenny about him. They were flabbergasted that he went to Hibs. At the time, Elding saw a move to Sturm Graz, who were in the Champions League, fall through. At the last minute, he didn't want to go to Austria and Hibs paid £400k for him.
That was seen as a big fee but those guys in Ireland felt it could be a snip and they've been bang on. He looks a real prospect. He's only been at the club a short time but he could make himself a hero if gets the winner to take Hibs into the group stages.
I'm going to the game and the atmosphere will be incredible. If they turn up on the night, I think they'll go through. But someone has to make a name for themselves. I'm sure at Hibs' training ground, there will be pictures of David Gray that adorn the walls with him scoring that goal at Hampden. But this is an opportunity for someone else to get the adulation, make the club a lot of money - and allow the supporters to dine out on it for years to come.
