Nectar Triantis has been rewarded for his recent Hibs form with a call-up to the Australia squad.
The Hibees loanee could win his first cap when the Socceroos face Indonesia and China in World Cup qqualifiers during this international break.
Triantis has been a standout at Easter Road this season in a midfield role after heading back having not fully convinced as a centre half during his first stint.
He fully deserves his call-up to the international scene which, as always, contains several other Premiership stars.
Hibs would hope to hang on to Triantis for a further loan spell beyond his current one but it would all depend on Sunderland who could become a Premier League side.
It’s not the first time he’s discussed his Hibees future as he admitted he is loving life in the capital.
Tam McManus says Triantis call-up may hinder Hibs
Former Hibs striker Tam McManus says Triantis fully deserves his international recognition on the basis of his form but fears it may actually hinder the club.
He would already likely be on the radar of other clubs but now that he is a full international, that will increase attention and also add to his market value.
McManus told the Daily Record: “Nectar Triantis fully deserves his call-up for Australia. Sadly, I’m not sure it’s a good long-term thing for Hibs. He’s been brilliant for manager David Gray in the past few months and his form has been a real factor in the upturn of the team.
“Triantis’ first spell at Easter Road didn’t really work out playing at the back. But, as a midfielder during his second spell, he’s been outstanding. He’s won a first senior call for the World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China and the manager Tony Popovic has had plenty good things to say.
“Triantis has a bit of everything. He’s mobile, he can get about the pitch, he can put his foot in. He’s very composed on the ball. Can see a pass short and long.
“He’s scored a couple of goals this season, he’s had a few assists. He can get forward into the box. He’s just an all-round good footballer. As I said, since they moved him into the middle of the park, that’s been the making of him.
“Popovic watched him against Celtic at Easter Road and he had a great game. He’s just a quality football player and Hibs would love to keep him.”
Triantis’ value soars
McManus fears Sunderland would be looking for up to £4million if they were to sell up permanently, clearly out of Hibs’ reach.
He does feel their best bet of having him for longer would be for the Black Cats to be promoted to the EPL and loan him out again.
He added: “That’s where this call-up might cause an additional problem. It’s hard enough to think Sunderland might let him back for a third loan spell even before this.
“Now Triantis is attracting even more attention. It might not be a goer anyway. Much might depend on whether Sunderland can get into the play-offs and get themselves into the Premier League.
“I don’t think Triantis is a player for that standard at this point in time but he’s definitely capable of playing in the Championship and, at 21, his club will be wanting serious dough if they want to offload him.
“Hibs offered £1million for Luke McCowan and paid close to a million for Dylan Vente. But Sunderland are going to want more. Given the market south of the border, there’s no way an Australia international is getting to leave for £1m.
“They’ll want £3m or £4m and other clubs will have an eye on him, too. On that score, I doubt he’ll be a Hibs player next season. Unless it’s another loan and that is something that should be high on the priority list.
“The ball is in Sunderland’s court. If you’re a Hibs fan, you’ want Sunderland to go up. That increases the chances of getting him back to Easter Road.”