WITH Scotland now 90 minutes away from reaching Euro 2020, Euan Murray and Ryan Dow believe it's only a matter of time before former Pars star Kevin Nisbet receives international recognition.

Nisbet, having scored 23 goals in 32 Pars appearances, is top of the Premiership scoring charts with six goals in just nine games since his move to Hibs.

And Dunfermline skipper Murray reckons his pal will eventually pull on the dark blue.

"I think he's got a massive future and all the potential to get a Scotland call-up at some stage," he told Press Sport.

"There's nobody more happy for Nizzy than me. I've seen him come from being at Raith on trial (from whom he moved to Dunfermline) to where he is now, scoring goals in the Premier League, and I'm just delighted for him.

"He's worked hard for it but he has that talent. It wouldn't surprise me if, in a couple of years down the line, he moves on again because he is that good.

"I don't even need to talk him up because he does it himself. For me, he's the best player I've played with in years.

"In fairness to him, he's knuckled down. He knew himself he had to change certain things about the way he was probably living his life when he was younger, not even when he was at Raith, but before then.

"He's one of those boys who didn't have it easy when he came to Raith – he had to go and work for it – and I think you can see that in his game now.

"He's hungry and he's just come on leaps and bounds."

Murray continued: "When you take away all the workrate and everything he's done, which is just as important, he's got talent in abundance. For me, he's up there with the best finishers I've ever seen.

"He's quick, he's strong, and has got everything to go on and have a right good career. I'm not surprised one bit that he's gone into that league and I think he's the top scorer in that league. That's just what he does and sometimes he just makes it look effortless.

"Obviously, he's a good pal of mine but, away from that, he's just a very, very good football player. From when I saw him, he was always destined to go and play in the Premier League at least and he's kicked-on again.

"I think over the summer he's got himself in even better shape than he was in when he was with us. It's testament to him because he probably knows now he's got something; he's got that belief that he knows he's got something and has a right chance.

"I just hope the goals continue, he keeps impressing and can go as far as I think he can in the game."

Midfielder Dow, who played his part in supplying the ammunition for Nisbet's goal return in black and white, agreed with his team-mate's assessment.

"You just need to look at how Nizzy's performed for Hibs and I didn't have a doubt in my mind that he would do that," the newly-appointed vice-captain said.

"He was a brilliant player for us, and he'll go on to be a brilliant player for Hibs, and I think for Scotland as well.

"We're going to miss his goals but that's a pressure everyone else is going to need to take upon themselves. We've got young Lewis McCann, Gabby McGill, Kevin O'Hara and Declan McManus for the goals but we need to put ourselves under a wee bit more pressure – myself, Dom (Thomas), Kyle (Turner) – players from the middle of the park to chip in with goals and creativity.

"We've got a lot of creative players and I'm sure we'll be OK."