Hibernian 2-0 Kilmarnock

Mar 16 2008 Scott Mcdermott At Easter Road

HAPPY Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen watched Steven Fletcher put his side into third spot in the SPL then tipped the striker for a Scotland call-up.

The 20-year-old hitman struck the vital goal that sealed the points at Easter Road after Felipe Morais' first-half opener.

Fletcher's effort capped off another impressive display from the Under-21 star and helped put the Hibees into pole position for a UEFA Cup spot - with Motherwell and Dundee United not playing yesterday.

The striker was being spied on by scouts from the likes of Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester City at Easter Road as the youngster's reputation continues to grow.

Gaffer Paatelainen knows exactly what his star striker is capable of and reckons it's time Fletch was given a Scotland debut.

New Scots manager George Burley will name his first squad for the friendly against Croatia this week and Mixu said: "I hope he gets his chance. Steven deserves an international call-up now.

"He's looking lively, he makes good runs and scores goal.

"We'll see if he's selected but if he isn't there's no doubt his time will eventually come.

"We had to work hard for the win against Killie as they were very determined.

"But we were solid and it's important we have strikers like Fletcher to get us goals."

Colin Nish, who played against old club Killie for the first time in a Hibs shirt, also heaped praise on his strike partner.

He said: "Fletch is a better player than I thought now that I'm playing with him. He has a great left foot and is always thinking. If I make a run I know he'll find me. He had done enough for a Scotland cap even before now because he's a great player."

Aside from Moroccan pair Mehdi Taouil and Merouane Zemmama, the game was bereft of any real quality early on.

In the second minute dozy Hibs defender Chris Hogg was robbed by David Fernandez on the touchline but Danny Invincibile volleyed wide from the Spaniard's cross.

Hibs scored with their first shot at Alan Combe's goal in 29 minutes after a move that was simplistic but brilliantly effective.

Rob Jones knocked a long ball up to Nish who headed it into the path of the on-rushing Morais.

The pacy Portuguese ace latched on to it, sped past David Lilley and coolly slotted home.

It was the former Millwall and St Johnstone midfielder's first SPL goal for the Hibees.

Just before the break a terrific Garry Hay cross should have been converted by Fernandez but he headed past from six yards. Killie flew out the traps in the second half and should have been level.

Taouil's centre found Craig Bryson whose diving header from close range forced a point-blank save from Yves Ma-Kalambay.

The resultant corner from Bryson found Invincibile but the Aussie forward nodded inches wide of the upright.

Hibs didn't trouble Combe again until 67 minutes when Fletcher teed up Zemmama and his fierce drive had to be parried by the Killie stopper.

The little magician returned the favour moments later but Fletcher was denied by another super Combe save.

But the duo made it third time lucky as they combined to stretch Hibs' lead and seal the points.

Zemmama's pass found Fletcher on the run and although Combe got his fingertips to it the striker's effort went in off the post for his 14th goal of the season.

REF WATCH

CHARLIE RICHMOND had a shocker. His poor decisions enraged both benches at times. Woeful. Rating: 3/10

MATCH FACTS

SHOTS ON 4

SHOTS OFF 2

OFFSIDE 1

FOULS 12

CORNERS 5

BOOKINGS 1

SHOTS ON 1

SHOTS OFF 7

OFFSIDE 4

FOULS 11

CORNERS 5

BOOKINGS 1