HIBS STRIKER Steven Fletcher has jealously watched Scottish clubs thrive on the European scene this season – now he is desperate for a taste of his own.
The 21-year-old has earned notable recent headlines for his breakthrough into the full Scotland squad and for claiming the Scottish Football Writers' young player of the year award.
However, despite his tender years, a lack of appearances in Euro
pe rankles and it's something he is keen to put right. While the Easter Road side are assured of a place in next season's Intertoto Cup, it's finishing third in the SPL and landing a place in the coveted UEFA Cup that Fletcher ultimately craves.
When Mixu Paatelainen took over in January, the club's hopes looked faint but they are now involved in an intriguing, fierce scrap in pursuit of their goal.
Victory at Celtic today would not only blow open the title race but also give Hibs a massive fillip in their European quest – and Fletcher is determined to achieve the improbable.
He said: "We definitely need to get a point today, but we want three as we want that UEFA Cup place. I haven't had much experience in Europe. I came on as a substitute in our game against Dnipro over there in 2005 and had a 'goal' chalked off which was never offside.
"I also played against Odense (in the Intertoto] in 2006 but that's about it, although I've obviously played for the Scotland Under-19 team in different places. You can learn things playing against different players and you pick up experience from that. Never mind Rangers, look at Aberdeen this season – they had a nice European run and played against some good teams and we just want to be part of that next season."
While 14-goal Fletcher is out to further his growing reputation at Parkhead today, he is disappointed he is unlikely to be facing his ex-Hibs team-mate and friend, Derek Riordan.
The striker has become a bit-part player under Gordon Strachan – last appearing in mid-March – and has also publicly vented his fury towards his manager in these pages.
The 25-year-old seems destined for pastures new this summer but Fletcher believes he can still have a future in Glasgow.
He added: "Derek's a great player. His finishing is probably the best I've seen so, if he keeps his head down and works hard, he'll get his chance.
"He did brilliantly for us. I think he was our top scorer every year he was here so nobody can take that away from him."
Meanwhile, Paatelainen believes reaching the UEFA Cup would allow him to sign better players. He said: "If you take part in the UEFA Cup, then that helps attract players and hopefully we can do it. But I feel we also need to reduce the number of players we have in the squad so there will be a few leaving."
The full article contains 503 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
