Hibernians coach Mark Miller has urged his players for to keep their focus as the Paolites look to protect their two-goal advantage when they face FCI Tallinn, of Estonia, in the return leg of the Champions League first qualifying round tie this evening (kick-off: 18.00).

After last week’s 2-0 win over FCI Tallinn at the Hibs Stadium, expectations are high in the Paolites clan that the Malta champions can negotiate their way towards a second qualifying round tie against FC Salzburg, of Austria.

But Miller is not resting on his laurels and has warned his players that he expects a completely different match to last week’s first leg.

“We may have a two-goal advantage but that is no guarantee that we will qualify to the next round,” Miller told Times of Malta from Tallinn yesterday.

“FCI Tallinn will surely come out firing on all cylinders and we need to make sure that we are ready for everything they will throw at us.

“It’s important that we keep our tactical discipline and try not to concede a goal in the opening stages of the match as that would put them back in contention.

“We have to be very solid at the back but at the same time brave enough to try and cause them trouble on the counter. I think we have the players to pose danger to their defence and we’ll try to take the chances that come our way.”

Miller cannot field his strongest formation as defender Andrei Agius has missed the trip to Estonia due to family matters.

But on a more positive note, the English coach can bank on Austrian defender Martin Kreuzriegler who has recovered from injury and is in line to make his debut following his close season move.

The build-up for this evening’s match has been far from ideal for the Paolites as they were forced to split their contingent in four factions between Saturday and Sunday due to limited airline tickets.

Miller, however, is refusing to use this hiccup as an excuse and said that his team have enough experience in their tank to overcome these problems.

“Our travelling problems should not be used as a scapegoat in case things don’t go well against FCI Tallinn,” Miller said.

“Some players have not had the chance to train with their team-mates for the past 48 hours but they have enough experience to make sure they are ready for the match.”

Last week, Hibernians struggled to get going against FCI Tallinn and Miller warned that another slow start could be fatal for his team’s chances.

“We need to be on the ball right from the word go,” Miller said.

“Last week the team took too much time to settle down but this time we cannot afford to do that as Tallinn will surely punish us.

“They are playing in front of their fans and in far cooler weather conditions than we had in Malta last week but I can assure you that we will be ready.”

First Qualifying Round

Today’s Second Legs

Santa Coloma (Andorra) vs Alashkert (Armenia)     0-1

Europa (Gibraltar) vs TNS (Wales)                        2-1

FCI Tallinn (Estonia) vs Hibernians (Malta)              0-2

Trepca (Kosovo) vs Vikingur (Iceland)                   1-2

La Fiorita (San Marino) vs Linfield (N. Ireland)        0-1

Hibs midfielder Bjorn Kristensen looking to clear the ball away against FCI Tallinn. PHOTO: Jonathan Borg