Scotland boss Steve Clarke to run rule over FIVE players in Hearts v Hibs semi

Scotland boss Steve Clarke will run the rule over a quintet of Capital players when Hearts and Hibs meet in Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet, right, is in red-hot form for the club.

Clarke is due to name his squad on Tuesday for the Euro 2020 play-off showdown with Serbia on November 12 and Nations League matches against Slovakia and Israel just days later.

Three Hibs defenders – Paul Hanlon, Ryan Porteous and Paul McGinn – were called into his squad for Scotland’s matches earlier this month and while Porteous has been named in the under-21 squad, he could be promoted when Clarke finally settles on his group.

The Evening News has learned that Clarke is keeping close tabs on Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet, who is the second top goalscorer in the Scottish Premiership this season with seven strikes in ten matches after making a £250,000 move to Hibs from Dunfermline Athletic this summer.

The clamour has grown for Nisbet to be given international recognition in light of his form, with Easter Road manager Jack Ross and team-mate Hanlon saying that the ex-Raith Rovers man could make the step up to the Scotland squad.

While Scotland have found form with Oli McBurnie and Lyndon Dykes in attack, the latter is suspended for the match against Slovakia. Nisbet will be vying with Dundee United’s Lawrence Shankland, Sheffied Wednesday’s Callum Paterson, Sheffield United’s Oli Burke and Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths for a place in the squad.

Clarke will also check on the form of veteran Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who is also bidding to force his way back into the squad after recent performances with the Jambos.

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