Colin Nish believes Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher will have fully justified his inclusion if he is named in the Scotland squad on Monday.Fletcher hit his 14th goal of the season in the 2-0 Easter Road victory over Kilmarnock which propelled Hibernian to third place in the Scottish Premier League.

Hibs have Dundee United and Motherwell for company in the race for the UEFA Cup place which third place guarantees.

Imposing frontman Nish has been hugely impressed with his strike partner since moving from Kilmarnock to Easter Road in January and insists Fletcher has the attributes to grace the international stage.

New Scotland manager George Burley has watched Fletcher and could now call him into the senior squad ahead of the March 26 friendly against Croatia - the game which takes place on Fletcher's 21st birthday.

Nish said: "I think Steven had done enough before the game against Kilmarnock.

"He got another goal but I think the next step for him would be to go and see how good he is playing with the boys that are in the Scotland squad.

"He is a great player, he is going to get better and better and I think he should be in the squad.

"I knew he was a good player before I got here but I think he is even better having played with him.

"Just watching him and some of his finishes, he has got some left foot on him.

"He might go into the corner with the ball and he manages to come away with it and you think to yourself, 'How did he manage that?'.

"He is a great player. I hope he stays here so I can continue playing with him."

Nish set up Filipe Morais to open the scoring against Killie with Hibernian's first attempt on goal in the 29th minute.

Fletcher added a second goal in the 73 minute.

Despite not getting on the scoresheet himself, Nish, who has settled quickly since moving from Rugby Park, insists he thoroughly enjoys leading the line with Fletcher.

He added: "It's great playing alongside Steven. With good players you know what they are going to do and you always know that, if you are going to make a wee run, he will try to find you.

"Sometimes with other people, when you make that wee run they might try to do something else and it makes you look bad.

"Steven is always thinking about it and he is just a really good player and I am lucky that I am playing alongside him at the moment."

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies was unable to sign a replacement striker after Nish departed on transfer deadline day.

Losing Nish's presence in attack has clearly impacted on Killie's effectiveness, but Jefferies praised his side's display in the capital.

He said: "It was the best performance from Kilmarnock for a long time away from home.

"We started the game terrifically, never let Hibs get on top and had most of the possession going forward."

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