By this stage, Hibernian manager David Gray is well accustomed to picking his players up from the canvas.
He’s had plenty of practice, after all, having spent the first five months of last season doing pretty much nothing else.
The 2016 Scottish Cup-winning captain engineered a turnaround nobody in their right mind saw coming, taking his side from relegation candidates to a spot in Europe.
Which is why neither he, his squad or the Hibs supporters should have any trouble shrugging off Thursday night’s kick — or rather, overhead kick — in the teeth as they get their Premiership campaign under way against Dundee this weekend.
Junior Brumado’s acrobatic effort for Midtjylland with penalties looming at Easter Road was sickening and stunning in equal measure, and abruptly ended the Edinburgh side’s participation in this year’s Europa League at the first hurdle.
If anything, though, the performance of Gray’s men over both legs against the Danes should provide grounds for optimism rather than despair. They rode their luck at times, as was to be expected, but there’s no doubt they were impressive. Surpassed expectations, even.
David Gray is hoping to bounce back from Thursday’s Europa League defeat at Easter Road
Junior Brumado netted an acrobatic overhead kick in extra-time to send Midtjylland through
Steven Pressley will take charge of Dundee for the first time in the Premiership on Sunday
Of course, Hibs’ continental adventure isn’t over, with the Conference League group stage now the target. An ominous trip to Partizan Belgrade is to come on Thursday but, on the evidence served up so far, they can be confident of making a decent fist of it.
Before then, they are faced with an altogether different proposition at Dens Park.
It’s safe to say that Dundee supporters are still waiting for that so-called new manager bounce to kick in following the arrival of Steven Pressley this summer.
His side were hopeless in back-to-back Premier Sports Cup losses to Airdrieonians and Alloa Athletic respectively as they were dumped out of the competition in embarrassing fashion.
Dundee fans are a hard bunch to please at the best of times — just ask Tony Docherty — so Elvis can hardly be too surprised to find himself under the cosh early doors.
On paper, Sunday afternoon’s clash should be a non-contest even taking the visitors’ midweek exertions into account.
That being said, it will be interesting to see how Hibs handle the next few weeks on the domestic front with at least two more European ties to come.
St Mirren and Kilmarnock both struggled with the balancing act in the early weeks of last season. The Buddies thumped Gray’s side 3-0 on the opening day before failing to win any of their next five, while Killie didn’t register a league victory until the first week of October.
Dundee United fans can look forward to another European trip later this week
It’s a testing time, no doubt, but you would have to assume Hibs have more than enough quality to cope.
Dundee United face the same dilemma. Look, they did what was expected of them by seeing off UNA Strassen of Luxembourg on Thursday.
But manager Jim Goodwin isn’t daft. He knows it could have very easily have been the minnows gearing up for a crack at Rapid Vienna later this week instead.
Of course, there would have been no such issue if the Irishman had fielded a team full of home-grown talent. Or at least, that’s what some would have you believe.
The Tangerines — so impressive on their return to the top tier last season — will be at new boys Falkirk on Sunday afternoon hoping to spoil their big Premiership welcome party. A big improvement is needed.
McInnes faces Hearts acid test
Who said managing Hearts was hard work?
‘We’re not here to mess about,’ was the statement of intent delivered by new boss Derek McInnes earlier this week. He’s certainly living up to his word so far.
Derek McInnes has got off to a blistering start as Hearts manager
In a matter of weeks, the former Killie manager has delivered four wins from four in the Premier Sports Cup, thumped English top-flight newcomers Sunderland — albeit in a friendly — and got Lawrence Shankland looking like… well, Lawrence Shankland again.
McInnes couldn’t have hoped to go into Monday night’s league opener against Aberdeen in front of a packed-out Tynecastle in a better position. This, of course, is the acid test.
His chances of a winning start could be bolstered by the fact that the Dons have been busy basking in the glory of their recent Scottish Cup triumph throughout the summer. Quite right, too.
But that lack of competitive football could come back to bite them given the way Hearts have hit the ground running.
