5 days ago
I have one Hibs concern against Partizan and they need fans to help break two decade Euro hoodoo
Tam has called on punters to recreate AEK Athens atmosphere as he warns the Grave Diggers aren't dead after first leg
Belgrade was a job well done for Hibs last week.
But if Sunday's result against Kilmarnock proves anything, it's that it is still far from job done against Partizan.
All it took was one moment of sloppiness from Rocky Bashiri and a win Hibs thought they had wrapped up soon slipped through their fingers.
That's why it's so crucial David Gray's side get off to a fast start and maintain their focus from the first minute until the last this time out against the Serbs.
Goals change games and at the weekend, Liam Polworth's strike right on the stroke of half-time did more than just that.
It altered the atmosphere and introduced a sense of nerves and tension that hadn't been felt at any point until before Killie pulled one back.
When Hibs came out for the restart, you could feel the mood had changed along with the momentum and it was no surprise to see Stuart Kettlewell's men feed on the anxiety levels spreading through the home support and use it as fuel for the second-half push that earned them a 2-2 draw.
That's why I believe the crowd at Easter Road tomorrow night have just as big a role to play as the team Gray selects.
If they can crank the volume levels and inspire the team to come flying out of the traps, there is a good chance that an early goal will kill the tie.
But Hibs have to be prepared to face a better Partizan side than the one we saw last week.
The Grave Diggers certainly aren't dead and buried yet and will be hoping for better luck than they enjoyed in Belgrade.
I felt they were unlucky with a couple of early chances and obviously having the sending off didn't help their cause.
They've demonstrated their attacking threat already this season, sticking six goals on Oleksandria in the last round of the Conference League qualifiers before scudding Sunday's domestic opponent 7-2.
So Hibs have to be wary of a side who will be out to show a better reflection of themselves in Leith.
But I also believe Gray's team can climb a level or two higher themselves with the backing of Easter Road.
For me, this is the biggest game the club has had in Europe since that famous evening against AEK Athens almost a quarter of a century ago.
I played that night and while we got a 3-2 win on the day, it wasn't enough to see us past the Greek giants over two legs.
However, that game remains the best atmosphere I ever experienced and I'd love to see a repeat tomorrow night.
The scenario was different obviously after we lost the first game 2-0 in Greece but the noise generated by the fans that night in Edinburgh very nearly left AEK in ruins.
Unfortunately, we ran out of steam in extra-time before losing out on aggregate.
I'd just love to see Hibs go one better this week, not least because I think it's been far too long since the club recorded a landmark win in Europe.
The club were pioneers for Scotland back in the 1950s when they became the nation's first Euro entrants.
So it's sad for me to see the lack of recent success on the continent.
It's 20 years since a Hibs side took part in the first round proper of a UEFA competition. They haven't reached the second round of one since 1989.
That's not good enough as far as I'm concerned.
You can say the same for a lot of Scottish clubs lately but I really see no reason why we shouldn't be setting our sights on the league phase of the Conference League.
I've watched clubs like Larne and Shamrock Rovers from Ireland qualify recently so why should that be out of Hibs' reach?
There is no doubt the club have underachieved but they now have a huge chance to put it right this week.
The only concern is the fatigue factor.
I've always said that going Thursday-Sunday is tough for clubs like Hibs, who are not able to carry the size of squads the Old Firm teams enjoy.
You saw some of that against Killie as legs definitely wilted in the second half. Dundee United endured something similar as they allowed Hearts to snatch a late win at Tannadice just days after their brave efforts drawing away at Rapid Vienna.
But again, that's where the fans can have a huge say in the game against Partizan. Any tiredness in the legs soon disappears when you feel the adrenalin rush that a big Easter Road roar produces.
Get through this game against Serbians and it's likely to be Legia Warsaw in the play-offs.
That's a winnable tie as far as I'm concerned. But first, Gray's side must finish the job they started in Belgrade.
