It’s not often a player scores a double for a Scottish club in Europe, but to celebrate his 100th and 101st goals into the bargain?
This was fairytale stuff for Martin Boyle and Hibs in Belgrade on Thursday night.
Throw in the fact that this week marked the Easter Road outfit’s 150th anniversary and no one from Leith will be forgetting a landmark occasion in Serbia in a hurry.
Hibs have put themselves in an incredibly strong position ahead of next Thursday’s second leg, even if they will still harbour a few regrets that they didn’t score more when they had the chance in the Stadion Partizana.
The match swung around Vukasin Durdevic’s sending off in the 34th minute for a second bookable offence — and David Gray’s side took full advantage to put themselves in command of this UEFA Conference League third qualifying round tie at the halfway stage.
Captain Boyle scored his 100th goal for the club in the 40th minute before notching his second of the evening from the penalty spot midway through the second half.
Boyle, far right, celebrates a famous victory with team-mates Iredale and O’Hora
Australia international Martin Boyle was star of the show in Belgrade with two special goals
The Hibs players savour a remarkable European win in Serbia on Thursday night
If Hibernian can close out the tie in Edinburgh, they will face a Conference League play-off against the loser of the Europa League qualifier between AEK Larnaca and Legia Warsaw, with the Cypriot side leading 4-1 after the first leg.
Hibs have never been in the group stage of European competition before. After last week’s heartbreaking extra-time exit to Midtjylland in the Europa League, their fortunes might just be turning.
Make no mistake, this was a victory for the ages. Partizan Belgrade are a club with no small European pedigree and they will be smarting at the way this game turned out.
Their story includes a European Cup final appearance in 1966, albeit they are without a league title since 2017 while rivals Red Star Belgrade have dominated.
They last reached the group stage of the Champions League in season 2010-11 but they progressed from the Conference League group phase in 2022 and 2023.
No mugs, then, and they will be wondering what they have to do at Easter Road to turn this tie around.
Gray made one change to the side that started Sunday’s Premiership win at Dundee as Jamie McGrath replaced Junior Hoilett.
New signing Grant Hanley was named on the bench but there was no place in the squad for Marvin Ekpiteta, with Gray revealing ahead of kick-off that the defender is exploring his options as he prepares to exit Easter Road.
Boyle had earlier scored his 100th goal for Hibs, then slotted home 101st from penalty spot
Boyle is surrounded by delighted team-mates after scoring his 100th goal for Hibernian
The visitors signalled their intent as early as the fourth minute when Boyle’s lob from more than 40 yards out drifted agonisingly wide after goalkeeper Marko Milosevic raced out of his box to make a headed clearance.
The hosts subsequently spurned a couple of good chances from close range when Demba Seck blazed over and then Nikola Simic headed wide.
Amid a lively start, McGrath saw a free-kick from 30 yards brilliantly pushed behind by Milosevic. At the other end, Nemanja Trifunovic had a powerful strike turned wide by Jordan Smith.
Partizan went agonisingly close in the 33rd minute as Milan Vukotic was denied by a heroic goal-line block from defender Rocky Bushiri.
It proved a pivotal moment as Partizan had Durdevic sent packing seconds later after being shown a second yellow card for hauling down striker Kieron Bowie as he tried to burst clear.
Hibernian did not take long to make their numerical advantage count as Boyle pounced at the back post to smash home an emphatic finish from six yards out after Warren O’Hora had flicked on Jordan Obita’s corner.
Bowie, McGrath and Chris Cadden all spurned further chances to add to the visitors’ lead in the closing minutes of the first half, and Bowie saw an effort brilliantly pushed over by Milosevic early in the second period.
The Hibs players go over to celebrate with the travelling support after a wonderful night
Martin Boyle is now a Hibs centurion after scoring his 100th and 101st goals for the club
Those of a Hibs persuasion will be hoping that these moments do not come back to haunt them in a week’s time.
Partizan started to regain a foothold in the game and Mario Jurcevic saw a powerful low shot from 20 yards saved by Smith before Jovan Milosevic headed straight at the Hibs keeper shortly afterwards.
However, just as the hosts looked to be finding a way back in, Hibs were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute following a VAR check after Bowie was deemed to have been fouled while trying to get on the end of a cross.
Boyle duly fired home his 101st goal for the club, his shot struck straight down the middle, to leave the travelling support savouring one of their most notable away wins in Europe for decades.