Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen claims it would be an "unbelievable" achievement for the team to clinch a place in next season's UEFA Cup.Fifth-placed Hibs are locked in a three-way battle with Dundee United and Motherwell to finish third in the SPL and qualify for Europe.

Sunday's match against United at Tannadice could be a pivotal fixture as the two teams are level, just two points behind Motherwell.

Hibs were languishing in eighth place when Paatelainen succeeded John Collins in January and confidence within the squad was low.

But the Finn, whose first British club were United, who he joined in 1987, has quickly turned the team's fortunes around and surpassed his own expectations.

And the former striker wants to complete the job by securing European qualification.

He said: "It would be unbelievable to qualify for Europe.

"In January, when I joined, I honestly thought we were out of it and was instead focusing on reaching the top six.

"But we've had a decent spell and others have dropped points, so we can see the target there now.

"We're in with a shout and gunning for it, so let's see if we can do it. It would be great but we know how tough it will be up at Tannadice."

Hibernian striker Colin Nish is heading for an unwanted disciplinary double, but admits it will not worry him if the club can book their ticket to Europe.

The 27-year-old is again top of the SPL's 'crime' count table for individual players after racking up 79 fouls and receiving nine yellow cards this term.

With a gap to Aberdeen forward Lee Miller below him, Nish looks set to head the list of shame for a second successive season after his indiscretions at Kilmarnock in the previous campaign.

Nish, though, is happy to laugh it off and believes his awkward yet effective style is often too harshly dealt with by Scotland's officials.

He said: "I saw the statistics, somebody told me about it and I had a look. I think there are quite a few strikers actually on the list.

"I think it's just part and parcel of my job. Referees just think when you're going for a header or trying to hold the ball up that you're fouling maybe when you're not.

"I'm not conscious of how many bookings I've had, I don't even think about it. It wouldn't bother me if I finished top of the table - I think I finished top last year, too."

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