KIERON IS POWERED BY A GAYLE FORCE

KIERON BOWIE admits young and old are providing plenty of inspiration for him in his bid to star for club and country.

- BY DARREN JOHNSTONE

The striker’s debut campaign at Hibs has been mostly a disappointment after a recurrence of a hamstring injury sustained on Scotland Under-21 duty last September left him sidelined for over four months.

The 22-year-old concedes it will not be until next season Hibs fans see the best of him as he plays catch-up in his bid to regain peak fitness.

Long-term, Bowie is hoping success at Hibs can help him break into the senior national side. And he can draw comfort from seeing Hearts marksman James Wilson become the youngest Scotland player at only 18 last month.

Closer to him, Bowie is taking pointers from former Premier League striker and team-mate Dwight Gayle - once a £10million signing by Newcastle United - as he looks to hone his own game.

Asked if Wilson's call-up gives him hope of future recognition Bowie, who is hoping to make only a fourth league start in today’s visit of Dundee, said: “Yeah, definitely.

“There’s a wee chance there eventually but I'm just trying to get back to full fitness.