Mixu Paatelainen insists he is not going to get carried away after seeing Hibs climb to third place in the SPL with a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock.Goals from Filipe Morais and Steven Fletcher - his 14th of the season - either side of the break moved the Leith side a point clear of Dundee United and Motherwell in the race for UEFA Cup football.

Hibs were far from their best against a Kilmarnock side fighting for every ball but emerged with all three points to boost their hopes of playing in Europe next season.

Paatelainen, however, insists it is important the players do not take their foot off the gas after climbing the league.

He said: "I look at the league table every day but I don't talk about it because it is important we stay focused. It is very tight .

"We obviously have climbed the table and hopefully we can keep it going, although it will be difficult when we go to Ibrox next week to play Rangers.

"We did have to work hard, we knew that before the game. Kilmarnock came here with a determined attitude to stop us playing. We managed to score two fantastic goals, however.

"It's very important to have players that can score and its also important to have a solid defence."

Fletcher's strike in the 73rd minute sealed the points at Easter Road after Kilmarnock threatened to equalise in the second half.

Scotland manager George Burley names his squad on Monday for the forthcoming friendly against Croatia and Paatelainen, a former Finland international, believes the Fletcher should be included.

He added: "I hope he has done enough to be in the squad, he has scored a few goals and looks very lively. I think he deserves to be in the squad."

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies lamented his side's lack of a cutting edge.

Craig Bryson and Danny Invincible both had chances to level the score in the second half as the visitors failed to find the net.

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.

"We looked like we were going to score rather than concede another in the second half.

"Hibs have got what we have not go at the moment and that's a cutting edge. That's something we have to address for next season."

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