Fletcher's holiday plans pay off with trip to Prague

Published on Thursday 8 May 2008 22:41

HIBS striker Steven Fletcher displayed the anticipation which marks him out as a top finisher when ensuring the holiday booked earlier this year did not clash with Scotland's trip to Prague later this month.

Fletcher only made his debut for Scotland in March, on the day he turned 21, but upon hearing an end-of-season fixture had been arranged, was hopeful he might be included in George Burley's squad for the friendly against Czech Republic. His first match in Scotland's colours finished prematurely when he was substituted at half-time having sustained a shoulder injury and he is desperate to be involved again.

"I booked a holiday earlier in the year but when I heard the team had a game I booked it for two days afterwards – just in case," he said. This was made to seem prudent when Burley named Fletcher in his travelling party on Wednesday. The striker's inclusion in two successive squads suggests he is very much part of the manager's plans.

Hibs' inconsistency during this campaign has not impacted on Fletcher, who as well as becoming a fully-fledged Scotland international has attracted reported interest from Real Madrid. However, a Uefa Cup place is still a realistic objective for Hibs and Fletcher hopes it will prove to be a worthwhile season for all at Easter Road, with Celtic next to be tackled this weekend.

"As long as I work hard at Hibs hopefully I will keep getting noticed by the national team," said Fletcher. "It's been an up-and-down season so far at Hibs but if we did manage to get third place it would be a good achievement. We have a young team. We don't really fear too many teams.

"We thrive on playing at places like Parkhead. We have done well there recently so hopefully it will be another good game on Sunday."