Hibs boss David Gray opens up on major double injury sweat after historic friendly win over Rot-Weiss Essen
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DAVID GRAY hopes some quick thinking saved Lewis Miller and Elie Youan from injury.
Martin Boyle's 75th minute strike saw Hibs run out winners against German third tier side Rot-Weiss Essen after first-half goals from Jamie McGrath and Junior Hoilett.
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Hibs in action against Rot-Weiss Essen
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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An emotional Pat Stanton takes the acclaim as stand is named after the Hibs Legend
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
Aussie ace Miller was forced off after failing to recover from a first half knock then French striker Youan lasted just 17 minutes after coming on at half-time.
Gray said: 'It's very early but we're hoping both were more precautionary. Millsy was a kick but he's up walking about so we'll have to assess him.
'Elie felt a stiffness in his back which was hampering him when he was running so we weren't taking any risk in making things worse. Hopefully things settle down quickly.'
Essen were Hibs' opponents when they became the first British team to compete in the first ever European Cup back in 1955.
The latest clash kicked off the club's 150th anniversary celebrations - and saw first Easter Road starts for McGrath, Josh Mulligan and Raphael Sallinger.
It came after the Easter Road men went down 6-3 to European giants Ajax in Holland on Saturday.
Despite being in the third tier of German football, Essen brought more than 2,000 fans.
It took just 79 seconds for them to fall silent as Miller darted into the box then teed up the onrushing McGrath.
Visiting goalie Jakob Golz saved the first shot but couldn't keep out the second.
Hoilett grabbed Hibs' second in the 14th minute when he picked up the ball on the edge of the box and deftly dinked it beyond Golz's reach.
Hibs chief Malky Mackay on his Celtic team-mate who could've been as good as Henrik Larsson
It had been all Hibs before the break but Essen started the second half like a different team.
Just 39 seconds after the restart sub Dominik Martinovic slid home.
When Martinovic went one-on-one with Rocky Bushiri four minutes later neither the Hibs defender nor goalie Sallinger covered themselves in glory as his low drive crept inside the left post.
But Hibs recovered and Boyle slammed in a third with 15 minutes left.
Essen blew a great chance to equalise with three minutes left when they won a penalty after Torben Musel latched onto a short backpass from Cadden.
Musel's shot was tipped wide by Sallinger but he'd been impeded by Marvin Ekpiteta and ref Sean Murdoch pointed to the spot. Sallinger guessed right to beat away Musel's kick.
Gray added: 'The fans added to the occasion and it didn't feel like a friendly. It's about minutes in the legs and we started with good intent.
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David Gray ponders a potential injury blow for his side ahead of the big kick off
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
'We started the second half very slowly but we made changes and reacted so credit to the players. I know it's only pre-season but that's a good habit.
'There's still loads of improvement though, like in the goals we lost.'
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