Pre-match in O’Learys – the pool, darts, bowling and karaoke hall where Hibs fans congregated – a 0-0 result would not have just been accepted, but the offering hand snapped off.
Belgian Pro League outfit Gent are no mugs. Rik de Mil’s athletic side are unbeaten in the early stages of the season and saw off Gothenburg to get here.
In the opening stages, they smothered Hibs, who struggled to come up for air in the hosts’ half.
Until Warren O’Hora was clattered into and awarded a penalty. Supporters tucked in to the far left corner of the Planet Group Arena were all giddy and dreaming.
Fewer than two weeks ago, Josh Campbell scored from the spot to silence Ibrox as Hibs went on to defeat Rangers, but it was Owen Elding who grabbed the ball.
Nothing wrong with his effort, searching for the corner, Gent goalkeeper and captain Davy Roef reacted sharply to get down and deny the 20-year-old superbly. He has previous with penalties, Gent required his heroics in the shootout against Cherkasy in the second qualifying round.
Dejected, sure. But down, no chance. Elding, who has been piled with praise since his arrival in Leith remained determined to impact the game.
“Owen came in at half-time, said ‘sorry about the penalty boys, but we’re on top so let’s keep going’,” captain for the night O’Hora told BBC Scotland post-match. “That’s just the way he is.
“There was a little arm round him, then he shows how much of a man he is already, at such a young age. Credit to him for that.
“He didn’t shy away from things, he just keeps going and waits for the next one.
“He’s got plenty of penalties to take in the rest of his career. I said it to him in the dressing room after the game ‘I’ve never taken a penalty in my career, I don’t plan on doing it, either.’
“I don’t envy him one bit for that. He’s been brilliant for us so there’s nothing for him to worry about.”
