Kieron Bowie just getting started as Scotland call delights Hibs boss David Gray

Big striker has kept his place in Steve Clarke's squad for the World Cup qualifying double header against Denmark and Belarus.

David Gray reckons Kieron Bowie’s career is really going places after the Hibs hitman earned a spot in Scotland’s World Cup qualifying squad.

The 22-year-old was one of four strikers named by Steve Clarke for the upcoming double header away to Denmark and Belarus.

And Gray is adamant his place is well deserved - with lots more to come from the former Raith Rovers and Fulham ace now he’s mixing on the international stage.

Hearts hitman Lawrence Shankland and Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway never made the cut in Clarke’s squad.

But Bowie - who made his Scotland debut as a late sub in June's friendly win in Liechtenstein - has started the season on fire with an outrageous strike against Partizan Belgrade helping set up this week’s Conference League play-off crunch against Legia Warsaw.

And Gray said: “A lot's been made about Kieran and his performances of late. All he can do is keep doing what he's doing and I'm delighted for him for the recognition.

“He deserves it for what he's done and I think there's still a lot more to come for Kieron. Being on the international stage really helps him. Playing and training with Premier League players and a top coach who has managed the country for a very long time now.

“That level of knowledge and experience of players he will be training with and the structure and even the games you play in.. it just adds to your experience and knowledge as a player. You are learning all the time, regardless of what age you are.

“Kieron has the mindset that he always wants to improve. He’s a very humble, hard working boy who is really enjoying his football at the moment.

“There’s a lot more to come because - off the back of two long term injuries - physically he is in a good place. His body shape and how he has looked after himself in the gym, the strength he has got in his game, it’s something that puts him in a really good position.

“Technically he has areas other than improve on, he will be the first to admit that. He is hungry to keep doing that.”

Bowie’s powerful and tireless displays alongside Martin Boyle have caused havoc for opposition defences. And Gray added: “One thing Kieron certainly does is enjoy the physical side. It’s maybe something the game has come away from a little bit.

“Centre backs definitely know they’re in a game against him. Not just that but his work rate and energy. His appetite to really affect the game.”

Hibs head to Poland knowing nothing less than a win will do or their Euro dream will be over after a 2-1 defeat in Leith last week.

With a £5m league phase jackpot up for grabs it’s a huge 90 minutes for Gray and his players. But having seen them run Midtjylland close then dump Partizan, the manager is convinced they have already shown they belong on this stage.

He said: “I think they've demonstrated they do. The level of performance, the teams we've played against.

"We've had a tough draw when you look at the coefficient of the teams we've played against, but that's what the players want.

"You want to test yourself against the best players. That's why you want to qualify and play in Europe against different styles of play, different atmospheres, and this will certainly be another hostile one.

"Big crowd, atmosphere – same as Partizan was, which was a different experience as well, which some of the players haven't faced before.

"It is all part of learning as a player – 'Can you go and play at the next level?' And I think they've demonstrated that they can play at this level.”

Josh Mulligan’s 87th minute strike halved Legia’s deficit and threw HIbs a huge lifeline. Gray added: “I’m probably more excited about this leg than I was the first leg, just because I know there's still a lot of football to be played.

"It is now a one-off game. Would I like the scoreline to be different before the game starts? Yes. But as I just said, football's a funny game. Goals change games.

“It's a brilliant place to be as a football club. One game away, knowing that if we win the game, we will be in the next round.

"Group-stage football, which hasn't been done before. That should be all the motivation the players need."