Riled by the 'uneducated' stereotype by Rijeka manager Goram Tomic that Hibs are a 'long ball' team, Jack Ross watched his entertaining team prove they are anything but.
However, in an otherwise fine performance against the Croatia league leaders, the Easter Road boss was left ruing a host of opportunities squandered — particular a late miss by Dan Mackay — to take a decent lead into the second leg.
But there was still plenty to be optimistic about ahead of the return in the Stadion HNK Rijeka next Thursday night.
Most notably in the way Hibs carved their gifted opponents open so regularly and in how they coped with falling behind against the run of play.
Martin Boyle roared in celebration having salvaged a draw for Hibernian at Easter Road
The forward was on hand to fire in a crucial equaliser in their Europa Conference League tie
Hit by a classic European sucker punch on the counter attack, the Edinburgh outfit could have crumbled when Prince Ampen headed the visitors into the lead.
But Martin Boyle's finish ensured parity and a play-off round tie against the winners of Irish side Bohemians and PAOK of Greece certainly does not look beyond them.
'It's a strange feeling not winning the first leg but it would be very difficult to complain about any part of the performance,' said Ross.
'I thought we were excellent. The only frustration is the end result because I felt we deserved to win the game.
Prince Ampen headed the visitors into the lead in an early blow to a well-supported Hibernian
'I think the Dan chance is the one. It was a big chance. Dan's a young man who can be hard on himself for himself for not taking chances but he gets in good positions and he just needs to keep doing that.
'That chance catches the eye given the stage of the game but
