Hibs hero hailed but warning fired after Partizan feat as one player left out of squad due to transfer

Gray, who watched captain Boyle bag his 100th and 101st goals for the club against ten-man Partizan, said: “Delighted for Boyley. That's 101 goals for the football club - he's been sitting on 99 for a while.

“He fully deserves it because he’s constantly delivered for the club for years now. He's really stepped up into that leadership role. He leads by example, and we saw that again tonight.

“If you'd offered us 2-0 before the game we'd have taken it. It's a fantastic scoreline. But it's still only half-time in the tie. There's a lot of improvement to be done from us on the second half display.

“Full credit to Partizan going down to 10 men for as long as they did. They kept throwing everything at us and missed a few chances which might have made it a different night but all in all, a fantastic effort in a brilliant atmosphere.

“The players will learn a lot from that. The noise and intimidation is something the players should thrive on. The decisions had an effect on it; we're delighted but it's only half-time.”

Gray’s message to Hibs players

Revealing his message to the players before the game, Gray said: “Prepare as best you can, knowing it was going to be loud and intimidating. I thought the fans were incredible with the noise that they made, from 90 minutes before the game and right through, even when they went behind their fans were still singing.

“Added to that, the 350 Hibs supporters who came all the way over were doing exactly the same. It made it fantastic in a proper European tie.”

On the red card and the penalty decision that gave Boyle his chance to score the second from the spot, Gray said: “I've not seen them back but at the time, the second yellow you could say was soft - but I can understand why it was given.

“From that moment, it's good to get the goal straight away. But credit to Partizan, they really came after us after that. Some teams would just sit in and protect but they kept coming, which shows the tie is still alive.”

Marvin Ekpiteta didn’t travel with the squad, as he was back at home finalising a move to MK Dons, Gray saying: “Marv's had a bit of interest from other clubs, and he's stayed behind to explore that. But at this moment he's still under contract."

Scotland defender Grant Hanley took a place on the bench, the gaffer saying: “He's going to be huge, on and off the pitch. I spoke a lot about character in the dressing room and bringing the right type in.

“Grant ticks that box, especially after we lost Dwight Gayle. Junior Hoilett and him are two proper leaders and have played at a high level. Grant is similar, he's still involved with the national team and has that ambition to keep pushing. He's a real strong addition.”