Fletcher signs new Hibs deal

Scotland Under-21 striker Steven Fletcher has ended speculation about his future with Hibernian by signing an extension to his contract.
The 20-year-old has secured an improved deal that ties him to the Scottish Premier League club for a further season, until summer 2013.

BBC Sport understands it makes him the highest-paid player at Easter Road.

Manager John Collins said: "Steven is a very important part of our plans and so it was vital that he felt secure here."

"Having signed a new contract, Steven has demonstrated his own belief that this is the best place for a young player to forward his career," said Collins.

We will be moving into a new training facility soon and that will further enhance the quality we can offer players at every level.

"Steven will benefit from that and I'm certain he will become an even better player as a result."
Fletcher, a product of the club's youth system, had been quoted as saying that he had never wanted to leave the Edinburgh club, despite reported interest from bigger clubs.

And he told the club website that he saw his long-term future with Hibs.

"I am still only 20 and so have a great deal to learn yet and I believe that the best place for me to do that is right here at Easter Road," he said.

Looking back, there have been a lot of highlights, but scoring two in the CIS Insurance Cup final at Hampden in March was something very special.

"With the rest of the side, I'm very much focusing on more success for Hibernian, this is still a very young and talented squad and we have a great deal to look forward to."

Fletcher has made 129 appearances for Hibs, scoring 34 goals and is the leading scorer this season with eight goals.


No Old Firm move for him yet then. I'm glad he stayed at Hibs. About time one of their players showed abit of loyalty and chose their club of money. If he had've came to either Celtic or Rangers, I feel he would have ended up like Derek Riordan. Top scorer for Hibs 3 years in a row and has only made 14 starts for Celtic in 18 months.

I salute you Steven Fletcher

Was delighted to hear this.

If you think about it, we would have a squad easily capable of challenging for the league if we had kept all our youngsters.

Best squad i can think of over the past 6 years is:

GK- David Grof
DL - Lewis Stevenson
DR - Kevin McCann
DC - Ian Murray
DC - Darren McCormack
ML - Derek Riordan
MR - ???
MC - Scott Brown
MC - Kevin Thompson
FC - Garry O'Connor
FC - Steven Fletcher

ALL products of Hibs youth system.

That would be some side. Pity really. Can't see anyone breaking the Old Firm's dominance if players from clubs such as Hibs jump at the first chance. Hopefully Fletcher sets a trend now and others begin to show a bit of loyalty.

I know it's a bit extreme but Fletcher staying at the club could benefit the league as a whole. Bit of loyalty and the chasing teams could narrow the gap

I know mate its frustrating and its never going to change.

2 years time, Fletch will be in the Hoops of Celtic or Blue of Rangers.

Do you know who he supports? I would say he'd sway towards Celtic. Being alot better and alot prettier and all that

Hes a Hibs and Liverpool fan mate.

But id say hed sway towards Celtic also, but then again i thought the same about Whittaker and Thommo....

I've got every respect for a lad that will stick by his team when he is starting to make a name for himself, for too often in the past, players have jumped ship at the first sign of old firm interest. the number of players that have jumped ship for an extra 2 grand a week only to become glorified bench warmers. i wouldn't even like to guess how many games Riordan has had this season for celtic, far too often it has been suspected that the old firm only buy scottish players to stop them from being a threat to them.

although it is refreshing to see the likes of Brown and Mcdonald making a start for Celtic, Even Rangers have got in on the act by playing thomson. If the old firm kept their hands out of their pocket and lets these guys learn their trade at their present club, then maybe, just maybe, scotland wouldn't have to rely on some cheating foreigner that dives for a penalty against the country that gives him a home to ply his trade.

You can't blame the player, in an industry motivated by greed, any player is going to jump at 100k more a year even if it means that he gets a good seat to watch the next couple of seasons.

with the talent that is coming through at international level, Scotland has a right to be proud of the team thay are watching, but if we start to ship our hotest prospects to the bench then it won't take to long before we are watching international football bert McVolts style...