John McGinn is Hibs 'role model' for Josh Mulligan as rising star targets Scotland call up alongside hero
Josh Mulligan is delighted to be compared to John McGinn - but what the midfielder would love most is to join the former Hibs hero in the Scotland squad.
Mulligan has hit the ground running at Easter Road since making his summer switch from Dundee.
And the 22-year-old is hoping to create history with Hibs as they look to see off Legia Warsaw and reach the £5million Conference League proper.
David Gray's side host the Poles in the playoff first leg tonight and Mulligan is desperate to build on his rich vein of form that has seen him likened to Scotland talisman and Aston Villa skipper McGinn.
Mulligan, who scored his first Hibs goal with a top corner screamer in the weekend's Premier Sports Cup win at Livingston, said: 'McGinn is a great player, to be compared with some like that is a good compliment.
'But it's about focusing on my whole game and not getting caught up in comparisons although it is nice.
'He's a good role model. Especially in the last five years he's been a massive player for Scotland as well - probably one of the most influential players. Looking at him, he's someone you want to look at and strive for.'
Mulligan is already a Scotland under-21 cap and is desperate to make the next step up to the full national team ahead of next month's opening World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Belarus.
Hibs teammate Kieran Bowie earned his first cap earlier this summer and Mulligan is hoping his exposure to European football can help him catch national team boss Steve Clarke's attention.
After playing his part in the agonising Europa League defeat to Midtjylland, Mulligan then had a key role in the 4-3 aggregate win over Partizan Belgrade.
He added: 'Even with the under-21s playing for your country there is nothing like that feeling - it gives you a sense of what it would be like to make the step up and pull on that shirt. That would be the best achievement of my career.
"That was a factor as well in coming here, you get more exposure, if you play well you get recognised.
"Playing with better players makes you better, you pick things up without even realising it and I'm learning every day.
"Other players my age have broken in, so I know it's possible. I just need to keep performing and see what happens.
"It's not just me. Every player wants to be part of the World Cup qualifying. I just need to keep putting in performances, take it game by game and hopefully it comes.'
Hibs striker Bowie's stunning goal in the third qualifying round aggregate win over Partizan Belgrade helped Hibs seal their progress and former under 21 team mate Mulligan admits the big striker is flourishing at European level.
He added: 'I've played with him for a few years and always knew he was a good player. But since I came here and I've seen him he's really stepped up. He's maturing and it helps everyone, for me I look at him and I want to play with him.'
And Mulligan, who has made seven appearances for Hibs so far, admits he is loving life in Leith as the big games keep on coming.
He added: 'This is the reason why I came to this club — to play in games like this. I've loved every minute of it and I'm really excited for another one.
"It's gone really well, from the moment I walked in it felt like the right decision.
"I'm enjoying it and trying to make the most of these opportunities, because games like this don't come around often."
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