Nicky Colgan has gone from an unkown to the form goalkeeper in the British Isles in less than a year - and he believes that he owes it all to Hibernian boss Alex McLeish.

Colgan is so happy at Hibernian, who are flying high in second place in the Scottish Premier Division, that he is ready to extend his stay at the club.

His current contract comes to an end next year but he is ready to sign an extension which will keep him at Hibs for the foreseeable future.

Nicky began his career at Chelsea but never looked like pushing his way into the first team. Instead he was farmed out to other clubs on loan on numerous occasions.

Bournemouth took a chance on him and offered him a contract but he had a nightmare time there and felt his career was going nowhere.

Hibs manager McLeish saw something in the 27-year-old Drogheda native and brought him North of the border - and since then fortunes have changed for the player.

Colgan said: "I feel I have been playing well this season. In the Republic of Ireland squad, there are three goalies ahead of me - but when Shay Given pulled out, I took the chance to take in what's going on and meet the senior players such as Roy Keane and I feel as though I've done enough to show Mick McCarthy I can be picked again.

"If you told me when I left Bournemouth I would be in the Irish team I would have laughed that off. It's all down to Alex McLeish to give me the chance and I thank him very much."