FOREST PATH HAS SMITH WALKING TALL WITH HIBEES

JORDAN SMITH grew up at a club absolutely steeped in European pedigree.

- 

Now he’s just grateful for the chance to play on the continent himself after thinking his chance had gone.

The Hibs keeper has already had his first taste of Euro action, playing both legs of the Hibees’ Europa League second-round qualifier against FC Midtjylland which ended in heartbreaking fashion.

Now Hibs are in Belgrade to take on FK Partizan in the third round of the Conference League qualifiers.

The Serbs may play second fiddle to bitter city rivals Crvena Zvezda — Red Star Belgrade in old money, who finished on 100 points and 27 clear of Partizan last season — but they remain amongst the more recognisable names of European football.

Smith learned his trade as a goalkeeper at twice European Cup winners Nottingham Forest. He might not be about to continue the tradition by lifting a European trophy, but that doesn’t mean he can’t help Hibs make their own history.

“I grew up as a youngster at Forest, where the older gentlemen around the place spoke with smiles on their faces about the great days when they won two European Cups,” he said.

“Those successes created so many great memories for everyone at that club, and that’s what we want for Hibs. The gaffer challenges us to make our own history and that’s what we’ve given ourselves the chance to do.