Hibernian used their meeting with Brøndby at Easter Road as a final pre-season friendly before returning to European competition. For David Gray and his squad, the timing made the match more than a warm-up. It was the last chance to assess readiness, sharpen details and make decisions on personnel before the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie.
Brøndby arrived as 11-time Danish champions, which gave Hibs a useful test against a club with proven European experience and a strong domestic pedigree. That kind of opposition can be valuable in the final days before a competitive tie because it shows where a team is comfortable and where it still needs work. For Hibernian, the friendly offered a clear look at the level they will need to reach once the meaningful matches begin.
What comes next for Hibernian
After the Brøndby friendly, Hibernian are set to face Malisheva of Kosovo in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie. That makes this weekend’s match an important part of the build-up rather than a standalone fixture. The focus now shifts from preparation to progression, with Hibs looking to move through the tie and continue toward the third qualifying round.
Malisheva reached this stage after beating Vllaznia 5-0 in the return leg, having lost the first leg 2-1. That result underlines that Hibernian will be dealing with a side that has already shown it can respond strongly in a two-legged European contest. For Hibs, the message from the Brøndby game is straightforward: the final tune-up is done, and the real work in Europe starts next.
