Adam Owen has made it clear that Hibernian will not get distracted by the John McGinn sideshow as they now turn their full attention to the eagerly-anticipated European clash with Aston Villa.
The Leith side prepared for Wednesday's Europa Conference League play-off visit of the English Premier League heavyweights with yesterday's hard-fought 2-1 Viaplay Cup victory over Raith Rovers. Elie Youan and Dylan Vente grabbed the goals in a lively second half either side of Callum Smith’s equaliser.
The excitement of Scotland international McGinn’s return to Easter Road - five years after leaving - will now inevitably be ramped up in the coming days but assistant manager Owen insists the management staff will not get caught up in the frenzy.
“Obviously ex-players' names are going to be brought up but they have a fantastic squad of players so we're fully aware of the challenge it brings,” said Owen, who expects striker Vente to be available despite being forced off in injury-time with a bloodied nose following a high boot that led to Liam Dick being sent off.
“The anticipation of the game has probably been bubbling around outside the club rather than in the club.
“Obviously the gulf in finances is well known throughout the world; Aston Villa are the favourites to win the tournament and rightly so with the budget that they have.
"So it does play its part but it's an opportunity for us to go and enjoy a game the likes of which the club has rarely seen for a number of years.
"The excitement is there, and the lads are looking forward to it as are the staff."
Following an energy sapping clash in Switzerland against Luzern on Thursday evening, manager Lee Johnson opted to ring the changes, making no fewer than six.
Riley Harbottle benefited in earning a debut after recently joining on loan from Nottingham Forest.
Teenage right-back Kanayo Megwa also got the nod at right-back.
Johnson cited his team’s European exertions as a factor in opening Premiership defeats to St Mirren and Motherwell.
He hoped the personnel changes would ensure his team played with an intensity that was needed to break down their Championship opponents.
At the start of the game at least, this was the case, with the hosts fashioning the first opening after only five minutes.
Josh Campbell clipped a ball over the top for Martin Boyle and after chesting the ball down the Australian international got a shot away.
But experienced defender Keith Watson recovered well and made a timely block.
Raith, backed by over 16,000 fans, were tidy in possession at times although their early chances were as a result of slack play by the home team.
Paul Hanlon’s attempted pass back to David Marshall was intercepted by Smith but the forward's chip from an acute angle was blocked by the Hibs goalkeeper.
Sam Stanton then pounced on a Campbell pass that was intended for Hanlon and raced forwards before playing in Smith.
But there was too much weight on the ball and what could have been a genuine goal scoring opportunity fizzled out with Smith being forced wide.
After being able to repel early pressure, Raith, managed by one-time Hibs favourite Ian Murray, grew in confidence.
Indeed, it was the away team that conjured up a good chance at the start of the second half.
Josh Mullen’s low delivery found Lewis Vaughan at the back post but his stinging drive was kept out by Marshall.
There was action at both ends. Youan found Martin Boyle following a forceful run but the forward’s effort was pushed behind by Kevin Dabrowski’s outstretched leg.
Hibs were more cohesive following the half-time introduction of Joe Newell and the Englishman was involved as the Premiership team drew first blood after 57 minutes.
His teasing corner was met by Youan in a congested six yard box and the Frenchman bulleted a header past the hapless Dabrowski.
But any notion that Hibs would then stroll to victory was wiped out in the 68th minute.
Lewis Vaughan found team-mates Smith on the edge of the box and after the forward got a break of the ball he slid a low shot past Marshall.
The prospect of extra-time following amid a demanding European fixture list was not an appealing one for the home team.
But within a minute substitute Vente, who had only just climbed off the bench, squeezed a low drive under Dabrowski after Youan and Miller combined well to create the opening.
"I said to the players before the game, the result will take care of itself,” said Raith boss Murray.
“We just wanted to come here and play well and show everybody how good we can be as individuals and as a team. I thought we did that.”
