HIBERNIAN head coach Neil Lennon knows Thursday’s encounter with Brondby is a tie fraught with danger after witnessing first hand how quickly a Europa League dream can turn into a nightmare.

Lennon was in the crowd at Easter Road three years ago when the capital outfit suffered a humiliating hammering at the hands of Swedes Malmo and, so early into his reign and his squad’s pre-season prepar- ations, admits it is a chastening experience that could be repeated.

The then Celtic manager was in attendance to consider moves for Malmo pair Tokelo Rantie, who went on to join Bournemouth, and Jiloan Hamad, now with 1899 Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

After a 2-0 defeat in Sweden, Hibs went into the return leg full of hope of a famous European comeback but instead were left embarrassed by a 9-0 aggregate loss, the club’s worst defeat in continental competition.

With Brondby having bared their teeth in setting up Thursday’s second- round qualifier with a 10-1 thrashing of Valur of Reykjavik – and with the well-known figure of former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki having scored three over the two legs – Lennon has admitted Hibs are facing another formidable task.

“I think Brondby will be superior. They are a big Scandinavian team and one of the more experienced teams, a big Danish team. We are a Championship team in Scotland, so, we go into the game as underdogs, but you just never know.

“The home game is obviously going to be important, and how we approach that. We’ve got to be careful not to be too gung-ho, but at the same time try to take the game to them whenever we can.

“I was at that [Malmo] game. I absolutely do not want something like that on my CV, but it can happen if you get caught cold so it is fraught with danger; you don’t want a hangover from it in the league either.

“But we’ll certainly compete. I’m playing it down but, you know me, I always think we’ve got a chance.”

Lennon is aware of the dangers Pukki can pose, even though he struggled to make an impression when he was at Celtic before being allowed to leave for Brondby, first on loan and then permanently, just 12 months into a four-year deal.

“He’s a quiet boy and he’s not the first person to come to Glasgow and not hit the ground running,” Lennon said. “He had a few injury problems and at a club like Celtic, when you’re brought in for money, you have to score goals, and he wasn’t really an out-and-out goalscorer.

“He didn’t really show his capabil- ities. It doesn’t take away the fact he’s a very good player.

“I think his time probably was harshly assessed. He did OK, I wouldn’t say he was a complete disaster by any means.”

One of Lennon’s new charges, Danny Handling, has had a painful last 12 months, but having featured in both legs of those disastrous Malmo ties, is now desperate to help Hibs to redemption.

The striker snapped his cruciate knee ligaments 12 months ago and has endured a lengthy battle back to full fitness that saw him miss the whole of last season, including that historic Scottish Cup win over Rangers in May.

The 22-year-old returned to the scene of his horrific injury at Berwick last week for a pre-season friendly and confessed to nerves over treading the same turf again.

“I was a bit anxious returning to Berwick,” he said. “At the back of my mind I knew a cruciate injury is a bad injury but I was just unlucky it happened to me.

“I just had to get over it and try to move on. You can’t really think about that when you’re going into a game. It’s been put to bed, I took it in my stride.

“I jarred my knee on the first day back training, the same knee, but I’ve overcome that. So, I’m ready for a fresh start. The gaffer’s been good and everybody’s been enjoying the training the way it’s been going.”

Having come through that psychological and physical test unscathed, the Scotland Under-21 is eyeing Thursday’s clash with Brondby with heightened anticipation.

“I thought we matched Malmo in the first leg over there, but things didn’t go to plan. That’s in the past and we’ve just got to try to put it behind us, which it well and truly is.”

Handling is adamant that, having taken some Premiership scalps in cup competitions last season, Hibs can relish the chance to pit their wits against crack continental compet- itors.

“The boys have all been thinking about it, it’s not far away now,” Handling said. “It’s something to look forward to and something to really enjoy. They’re a good side, they’re one of the top teams in their league, so it’s going to be a good battle.

“But we’re not a bad team ourselves. We’ve got a very strong team, the quality we’ve got in the dressing room shines through.

“We’ll see how the first game goes but we’re not hiding away from anything, we’re a confident side.”