Defiant display lifts Tigers for European test

The Tigers host KSC Lokeren in Thursday’s play-off qualifying round second leg trailing 1-0 from last week’s game in Belgium.

Hull know that an away goal by the Belgian Cup holders will leave them with an uphill task of needing at least three goals, but Elmohamady insists the confidence gleaned from Sunday’s battling 1-1 draw against the Potters – James Chester was dismissed in the first half – will stand Steve Bruce’s men in good stead.

He said: “The lads were absolutely class against Stoke from the first minute to the last minute of the game. That’s against a difficult team like Stoke and with 10 men.

“They threw in all the long balls, but we defended absolutely fantastically and I thought we played really well.

“When you have 10 men against 11 you need every single player to work hard and give everything they have and we had that. All the lads gave everything they had, 150 per cent effort, and if we can keep the performances like this we will go a long way. We had a great attitude on Sunday. Last season the attitude was great and you can see it again this year.”

Hull trail in their European tie thanks to an almighty blunder by goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who presented the ball to Hans Vanaken, who netted the winner.

Elmohamady, who came off the bench in Belgium, said: “When you play in Europe you have to keep your concentration and last week we conceded a goal from nothing. The stadium will be full like when we played Trencin (in the previous round), and I believe it will be the same atmosphere with the fans behind us.

“We came through that game and I believe we can get the result again to keep everyone happy. We know we have to win 2-0 on Thursday night after the first game, but we are confident.”