Nectar Triantis deserves his big Australia breakthrough but I fear it might not be good news for Hibs – Tam McManus

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.

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