HIBERNIAN have opened talks aimed at agreeing a new long-term contract with Sam Stanton.

The 19-year-old midfielder has scored twice in three games since making his first start for the Easter Road side in last month's league defeat to Celtic and was named in the Scotland under-21 squad for the first time ahead for next Wednesday's friendly against Hungary.

Terry Butcher, the Hibs manager, said: "Sam is very good and if he has that ability and vision when he has only played a handful of games, he has very, very bright future.

"He has another season on his contract but we're trying to tie him down for even longer if we can."