As Newcastle watch McGeady Keegan steps up Fletcher interest

The Geordies were at Parkhead to watch Celtic's £12million-rated man-of-the-moment Aiden McGeady in action against Barcelona last week.

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And now Keegan has identified Fletcher as worthy of closer attention.

Under pressure Keegan has admitted he is willing to look north for signing targets and recently said: "I am not saying there are 20 players in Scotland who are worthy of attention, but there are four or five players up there who are very decent prospects.

"First and foremost, I am looking for players with experience from within the British Isles and, preferably, having played in the Premiership. But the next step after that, if we can't get those ones, is Scotland."

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Real Madrid have even been linked with Leith prospect Fletcher, who does not turn 21 until next month and is tied to the club until June 2013 after signing a new long-term contract.

Five goals in his last three games have taken Fletcher's tally to 13 for the season and Scotland boss George Burley has spoken highly of the player as he plots his squad for Croatia's visit to Hampden Park on March 26.

With Fletcher emerging as a contender for a full international debut, Merouane Zemmama, the Moroccan international midfielder, believes his team-mate is ready to justify the hype.

He said: "I would like to see Steven get a chance for Scotland now. He scores goals, covers the pitch and has already done well with Scotland's Under-20s and 21s. I think he has a very good future.

"Fletch and Colin Nish are both good players for us up front. They move all the time. Fletch is more technical, while Nish holds the ball up well. They are both finishers and I hope, when Benji is back from injury, we will get a lot of goals."

While Zemmama campaigns for a Fletcher call-up, he is hoping for an international lift of his own after being frozen out by the Moroccan Football Federation.

The midfielder was accused of simultaneously holding contracts with both Hibs and former club Raja Casablanca when he moved to Scotland two years ago. That issue was resolved but Zemmama has found himself banished from the Morocco team ever since.

He said: "The Casablanca issue was sorted but I still have a problem with the Moroccan Federation. I have to sort that out before I can play with them again but I hope to play in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

"The manager, Henri Michel, didn't have a good Africa Cup of Nations and has just left. I hope, once the new manager comes in, he can have a fresh look at the players."

Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen, meanwhile, takes his side to Falkirk this evening hoping to keep up his challenge for third place.

He said: "We have been getting the points but we can defend better, pass better, attack better."

Paatelainen had words of encouragement for Kevin McCann and Lewis Stevenson, whose involvement has been limited of late.

"There has to be a balance between experience and youth," he said. "I felt we lacked height. You need the right balance of steel and skill, youth and experience, pace and power. But Kevin and Lewis should not lose heart. Kevin has been playing but Lewis has not featured too much. It's a disappointing time for him but he is an exciting prospect."

Falkirk defender Tam Scobbie is also desperate to make the breakthrough for Scotland after being rewarded with a bumper five-year contract by manager John Hughes.

Scobbie, 19, has already made 50 appearances since breaking through from the club's academy ranks and has also become a regular in the Scotland Under-21 side.

Left-sided Scobbie said: "You never know with a new manager coming in. We've had Alan Gow and Darren Barr in the 'B' squad and that would be the next step."