Garry hopes return to Hibs could resurrect Scotland career

Hibs boss Colin Calderwood pulled off arguably the signing coup of the summer so far in persuading the 28-year-old striker to agree a 12-month deal to pull on a green and white shirt again.

But while insisting his entire focus is on bringing success back to the club he quit in 2006 in a 1.8 million move to Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow, O'Connor revealed he still has ambitions at international level.

O'Connor's goals during his first spell with Hibs brought him his first cap at the age of just 18 but in a chequered international career he's only pulled on a dark blue jersey 16 times, the last being in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Holland in 2009.

However, in an exclusive interview with the Evening News last year, O'Connor revealed Scotland boss Craig Levein had already spoken to him and then Birmingham City team-mates Barry Ferguson and James McFadden about his plans.

While claiming Levein "seemed keen" to get him involved again, O'Connor remained sidelined as he struggled through last season, put out on loan to Championship side Barnsley before becoming a free agent.

Now, though, O'Connor believes he can catch Levein's eye once again.

He said: "Earning a recall into the Scotland squad is at the back of my mind. Firstly I need to let my football do the talking and deliver on the pitch regularly for Hibs.

"If the Scotland manager comes along and watches me and thinks I am ready to play for Scotland then it would be a special bonus.

"But right now that thought is right at the back of my head. The thought at the front of my head is to get back into the Hibs rhythm of things and to do well for the club. I want to score goals for Hibs and create goals for others. Then if Scotland open the door for me I'll welcome it."

Convinced he's returning to Hibs a far better player, O'Connor believes he can flourish under the direction of Calderwood, himself a former Scotland internationalist.

He said: "The manager knows what a good player I can be and he wants to see my full potential. He has every faith in me and that's why I am here. Everything the manager said to me was positive, where he wants the club to be next season and the year after that, the sort of players he is trying to bring in.

"Rod Petrie (Hibs chairman] is trying to help him. It's a great environment to be in and I think there will be exciting times for the Hibs fans.

"Hopefully I can help provide that excitement. I'll be trying 110 per cent in every game. I've never played with so much passion and commitment as I did when I pulled on a Hibs jersey - now I'll be trying to lead the players with the same passion and commitment to try to make the club a success again."

Calderwood is convinced O'Connor can play his part in helping that happen, saying: "We are really pleased to have a player like Garry on board for next season. He is a quality player with a proven pedigree at the highest level.

"Goals win games and Garry will strengthen our attack for next season and give us an extra option. He has learned a great deal about the game during his time away from Easter Road and he will be a very exciting addition to our squad."