Fletch keeping it Real ahead of his big day with Scotland

Published on Tuesday 25 March 2008 09:14

HIBS striker Steven Fletcher hopes to celebrate his 21st birthday by making his Scotland debut against Croatia at Hampden tomorrow night.

And, although Fletcher's career has come on leaps and bounds this season, he insisted today he is in no hurry to follow the likes of Scott Brown, Derek Riordan and Garry O'Connor out of the Easter Road exit door.

Fletcher, who has scored 13 SPL goals so far this term, played down reports that Real Madrid have named him as one of the 20 young players on their radar. "It's always nice to hear things like that but I think a club like Real look at a lot of young players," he said.

"I've been getting quite a lot of stick from my team-mates and there are quite a few things said if I miss shots.

"I can always rely on the boys to bring me back down to earth. You don't want to get too high, but people around me make sure I don't get too carried away."

He added: "I wouldn't be unhappy if I have to see out the remaining five years of my contract because Hibs are a good club to be at with a great bunch of boys in the dressing room.

"If we had kept all the players that we had we would be a great team. Some great players left but that's just football."

Celtic midfielder Brown, meanwhile, has refuted suggestions he lacks discipline in his play despite incurring another suspension this weekend.

Brown was booked for a 13th time this season after a foul on Gretna's Ryan Baldacchino on Sunday and will now miss three Clydesdale Bank Premier League games next month – including a crucial Old Firm match at Parkhead. New Scotland boss George Burley has warned the 22-year-old to stop diving into challenges ahead of tomorrow night's friendly with the Croats.

Brown, pleading over-exuberance in his mitigation, said: "I spoke to the manager about that today and he said: 'Stay on your feet more'.

"He said that I've got good enthusiasm but I shouldn't lunge into the challenges as much. Sometimes I get caught up in the heat of the moment – everybody does – but the rules are probably stricter now and if you go to ground you have to get 100 per cent of the ball."

Brown claimed – tongue in cheek – that he did not deserve any of the cautions he has amassed with Celtic. He said: "I don't think I merited any of the 13. I don't go into challenges to hurt people, I go in to win the ball. If I don't win the ball I put my hands up and say sorry. I knew right away when I received the card on Sunday I would be suspended and I was disappointed. But I always play to win."

Alan Hutton, meanwhile, believes he has already improved as a footballer after just a few short months in the Barclays Premier League. Hutton left Rangers for Tottenham in January but is relishing the opportunity to showcase his talents north of the border again at Hampden.

The full-back is again set to lock horns with Croatian star Niko Kranjcar, who came off second best when Spurs defeated Portsmouth 2-0 at the weekend.

"He's a good player with very good ability and great feet," said Hutton. "That's what you are up against down south, every player you play against is an international or top quality.

"Overall, it has helped me become a better player as well, testing myself against these players every week. I think there is definitely a better standard down there. Concentration-wise you have to be on your toes every second of the game.

"If you switch off, the type of player you are up against can go by you in an instant. You really need to be careful but overall I am coping well and, hopefully, will continue to do that."

Hutton pocketed a Carling Cup winner's medal in only his third game after helping Spurs to a dramatic win over Chelsea last month following his 9million move from Rangers during the January transfer window.

"To go down there and play in a cup final in my third game and win was a brilliant experience and, hopefully, there will be more to come," he added.

"I've really enjoyed it, I've settled in and my team-mates have been brilliant and really helped me along. At first, I was a wee bit wary of going down but overall I'm glad I made the switch when I did.

"The first couple of months have been brilliant and to be involved has made it all worth it.

"There were a lot of decisions to be made, not just the football, but the family side as well. I was only taking my time because I thought it was a massive decision for myself and my family. I have grown up supporting Rangers and it was a hard choice to leave."

Hutton has been denied a reunion with most of his former Rangers team-mates at Scotland's base after Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, Allan McGregor and Christian Dailly were forced to withdraw through injury. Kris Boyd remains the only representative of the Ibrox club in Burley's squad, although the absentees should be back in action in time for Saturday's Old Firm derby.