Lee Johnson believes attack could be the best form of defence for Hibernian as they bid to see off Luzern in the Europa Conference League and set up a ‘Battle of Britain’ clash with Aston Villa.
The Easter Road side earned themselves a 3-1 advantage in last Thursday’s pulsating first-leg in the capital and have travelled to Switzerland for the second-leg knowing the play-off round is within touching distance.
However, after the high of Luzern was sandwiched either side by the lows of a 3-2 defeat to St Mirren and a 2-1 loss to Motherwell in the Premiership, there is uncertainty over which version of Johnson’s side will show up on the continent tonight.
Having conceded nine goals in five competitive outings so far this season, there are serious question marks over whether Hibs can protect their lead under pressure. But, having also scored 13 times, Johnson has urged his team to play to their strengths and not wait for the expected ‘onslaught’ from their Swiss hosts.
“Obviously we have to think of all the scenarios,” he said. “But, at the end of the day, it’s 11 men against 11 men. We have a two-goal lead but we need to start like the tie is 0-0. There’s no question or doubt about that.
“You can’t waste time or can’t go for that long with the mindset of being on the back foot - and we’re not good on the back foot anyway. We need to be a team, that is world class on the mid-block and then we counter-attack off that.
“I just don’t like the back-foot mindset, that’s what I don’t like. It’s not that I don’t think my team can hold a lead. Of course I do.
“I don’t like the feeling of having to just sit on the edge of your box and defend an onslaught. I’ve never been like that. In previous clubs when we’ve gone and played [English] Premier League teams that’s never been the mentality.
“I just don’t think that’s the best way to approach the game. I think you’ve got to play your style and turn the dial a little bit, depending on the opposition.”
Hibs played with pace and energy in the first-leg and will attempt to use the devastating speed of Martin Boyle and, if fit, Elie Youan, as well as third-goal scorer Jordan Obita on the flanks.
Although Johnson confesses the Edinburgh encounter gave him plenty of food for thought for the return leg, against a team he admits ‘stretched’ his players, he is adamant the Swiss outfit will also be wary of the dangers Hibs can pose.
“They’ll be considering that as well,” he said when asked of the importance of Hibs getting the first goal. “There’s no doubt of that, because they know we have got goals in us - and we have got goals in us, despite our poor attacking performance at Motherwell. In every other game, we’ve shown we can score our chances.
“We’ve got enough threats to worry any opposition, and they’ll know that. And what they won’t want to do is throw caution to the wind and get caught on the counter, and all of a sudden it’s an even bigger task.
“That’s why it’s an interesting game to watch, and we’ve got ourselves in a good position.”
