Source: Team_Talk
Mixu backs Fletcher nomination
The Scotland striker took his season's tally to 10 with his 50th goal for Hibs in Monday night's 1-1 draw at St Mirren and is expected to be a key figure again in Sunday's encounter with championship-chasing Rangers.
The 21-year-old appeared to be on the verge of a big-money move to Celtic during the January transfer window and was said to be 'furious' the Parkhead side's approaches for the £4million-rated player were turned down.
However, the youngster has since overcome any disappointment he may have had with a return to scoring form, including when he netted the winner for Scotland in this month's vital 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Iceland.
And Paatelainen insists the standard of his overall performances means the forward merits his nomination alongside Hearts winger Andrew Driver and Hamilton pair James McCarthy and James McArthur.
He said: "Steven fully deserves his nomination in my book.
"His work-rate and contribution towards our cause has been fantastic. His link-up play and even defending is fantastic.
"He does his job always and he has now got into the Scotland scene as well, and scored a very important winner for his country last time round in a crunch game. You saw the work-rate and contribution he put in there.
"I think it is fully merited."
Paatelainen believes the experience picked up by Fletcher during his excursions with Scotland will prove invaluable on club duty.
The Finn has lamented a dearth of players in his squad with the ability to coax the team through the kind of high-pressure matches his side will face against Rangers.
But he feels greater exposure to such games will bring the necessary skills through time.
He added: "I have said before I would like to have more leaders in the team and more players with experience in the team.
"I do feel we need that but the players I have in the squad at the moment can gain that valuable experience by taking part in these very important matches and doing well.
"You know the players who are mentally the strongest, the players who have a little bit more experience under their belts than the other ones.
"The so-called big players need to play really well in the big matches and on the big occasions."
