Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen has revealed that the club has applied to play in next season's Intertoto Cup.
The Hibees are in a three-way fight for 3rd spot, with Motherwell and Dundee Utd, for a crack at next season's Uefa Cup, but have applied for the Intertoto in case the fail to do so.
Paatelainen's side currently sit five points ahead of
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Hibs have already competed in the tournament before, in 2004/05 Tony Mowbray had just been appointed and the Hibees fell at the first hurdle, going down 2-1 on aggregate to Lithuanian minnows FK Vetra.
The Hibees then re-entered the competition in 2006/07 hammering FC Dinaburg 8-0 on aggregate, winning 5- at Easter Road and 3-0 over in
Up next was Danish crack's OB Odense, the Hibees lost 1-0 in the first leg away from to a controversial penalty.
In the return leg Hibs ran out 2-1 winners and went out on the away goal rule, thus meaning OB Odense went through to play in the Uefa Cup proper.
Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen was positive about the possible entry to the Intertoto and said:
"I think it's good to play competitive games pre-season rather than friendlies. We are pretty inexperienced in regard to European football and it would be a good experience for the younger players.
"It is also, of course, a possible avenue into the Uefa Cup itself and it's an additional source of revenue for the club, so there are plenty of benefits to be gained."
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