Ace Fletcher doubles up young player accolade

Published on Saturday 16 May 2009 11:31

HIBS star Steven Fletcher today underlined his claim to be the hottest property in Scottish football by picking up one of the game's most prestigious prizes for the second year in succession.

The Scotland striker has won the Scottish Football Writers' Association's young player of the year award, continuing the Easter Road club's almost total domination of the title with Scott Brown and Derek Riordan being winners in the recent past.

However, it is unprecendented for any player to have lifted the award twice, never mind in successive seasons.

It caps an astonishing week for Fletcher who was also named the Clydesdale Bank's young player of the year.

Fletcher, who will pick up his latest award at a glamour dinner tomorrow night, admitted he was stunned to have won it again.

He said: "It's the sort of thing you dream of maybe winning once but to do it twice in a row is fantastic.

"It's always nice to be recognised and it rounds off a memorable week for me."

Today Mixu Paatelainen hailed news of the award as "brilliant" for both Fletcher and Hibs, recognition again of the club's outstanding youth policy.

The Easter Road boss said: "Steven is a home-grown talent and for that to be rewarded is fantastic.

"We've given first team contracts to another seven youngsters recently and hopefully we'll see them develop, become regulars in the SPL and perhaps go on to emulate Fletch's success."

Although only 22, Fletcher has made 187 appearances in a green and white shirt, having made his debut when he came on as a subsitute for Garry O'Connor in a 3-0 win over Kilmarnock five years ago.

His first goal followed six months later, Fletcher netting the second in a 2-0 victory over Dundee United. Today Fletcher has 52 goals for Hibs to his name and, with 12 strikes this season, is aiming to hold onto his title as the club's top scorer.

Fletcher's reputation has been growing rapidly over the past 12 months, the winner for Scotland in the crucial World Cup qualifying match against Iceland at Hampden only enhancing his standing in the game.

As such there has been intense interest in the youngster with Hibs slapping the "not for sale" sign around his neck when Celtic inquired as to his availability during the January transfer window.

Although he is under contract with Hibs until 2013, Paatelainen has publicly resigned himself to losing the club's prize possession before then.

While Celtic are sure to come calling again during the summer, Fletcher himself has signalled his preference to head south to the English Premier League, something which has not gone un-noticed over the border.

Easter Road has played host to a clutch of scouts from leading clubs – Fulham and Manchester City were among those represented in midweek – as they keep tabs on his progress.

But today Fletcher insisted his only desire was to better Wednesday night's draw with Rangers by beating the other half of the Old Firm at Easter Road tomorrow.

He said: "We've already done it once this season, everything is starting to fall into place for us and we are looking to finish the season well."