"There is no doubt, if someone like Steven Fletcher keeps working hard and keeps improving, he will go somewhere, Real Madrid or something like that - I don't know," Paatelainen said yesterday, having seen the 20-year-old score his first senior hat-trick on Wednesday night in Hibs' 4-2 win over Gretna.

"He has got a good head and he is really determined to make it to the top level, play for Scotland many times and be the top man. He works very hard (and] does extra training sessions after team sessions. He has got the right amount of arrogance and self-belief without being big-headed - he is a social guy in the dressing room as well.

"He has got all these assets that a good top-class player needs. To be a top striker you need to be selfish and you need to be arrogant - let no-one bully you. He has got that, which is great. Hopefully, it carries him far."