Stubbs: "Derby showcase can boost McGinn's Scotland hopes"

Boss Alan Stubbs is hoping John McGinn can clinch a Scotland call-up by helping Hibernian beat Hearts in their William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round replay at Easter Road on tonight.

National team coach Stuart McCall revealed on Sunday night that the 21-year-old midfielder is on the radar'' as manager Gordon Strachan plans for the forthcoming friendlies against Czech Republic in Prague and Denmark at Hampden Park.

Hibs and their Edinburgh rivals will do it again after a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle and Stubbs is looking for McGinn, captain of Scotland Under-21s, to continue the form shown since joining the Ladbrokes Championship side from St Mirren last summer.

Asked about McGinn's possible elevation to the full national squad, Stubbs, who has an unchanged squad from which to choose against the Jambos, said:

I am not surprised but that will be for Stuart and Gordon to decide that.

All I can say is that John's domestic form has been very, very good.

His performances have been very strong and we are hoping that he can put another one in tomorrow because I am sure there will be people there from the Scottish national team.

I am sure there will be someone casting an eye over him again.

He has got a better chance of earning that call playing against the top teams, when he his showing that he can cut it at that level.

I have no doubt that if it did come about, that he would deserve his opportunity because he has been very good.''

After recovering from a two-goal deficit at Tynecastle to earn the replay with a Paul Hanlon goal in injury time, bookmakers have made Hibs favourites to finish the job off at Easter Road and set up a tie against holders Inverness in the next round.

However, Stubbs, while pointing out that his side have lost only once since last August, at home to Rangers, insists the tie is still too close to call.

We are at home and our home form is very good and maybe (bookies) have taken that into account,'' the former Celtic and Everton defender said.

I think it is two really good teams and there is not a lot between them and on the night, as normal, it will be whoever handles the occasion and plays better, who will have a good opportunity to come through.

But I don't think there is a lot between the teams.''

While Hearts' Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Partick was called off on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch at Tynecastle, Hibs lost the chance to close the eight-point gap on Championship leaders Rangers with a goalless draw at Livingston, after the Light Blues had drawn 1-1 at bottom side Alloa earlier in the day.

Stubbs, though, is relaxed about the two dropped points, believing there will be twists and turns until the end of the season because it is a long season.''

He said: If the games had been at the same time we would have just said 'we didn't lose any ground to them' and considering we weren't up to our usual levels it could have been worse.

Rest assured, there will be points dropped between now and the end of the season.''

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