Hibernian manager John Hughes is confident Derek Riordan can remain in George Burley's plans - despite failing to start Scotland's friendly against Japan.

The Easter Road forward was disappointed to play just 16 minutes of the 2-0 defeat after making the gruelling 11,000-mile round trip to Yokohama.

His absence from the starting line-up was a surprise as Riordan was named in the original squad before 10 withdrawals forced Burley to make the trip with a makeshift pool.

The 26-year-old was back in the international fold after earning his first cap in a friendly in Austria back in 2005 and Hughes has every faith in the player to remain there this time around.

He told the Edinburgh Evening News: "I spoke to Derek on the phone and it would be fair to say that he was a wee bit disappointed about the fact he only got just over 15 minutes in the game on Saturday.

"At the same time, however, he knows that he has got his foot back in the door again as far as playing for his country is concerned and I think that's a sign of the maturity he is starting to show.

"The Japan game gave him the chance to be around George and the rest of the Scotland coaching staff and they will have seen what kind of guy he is now and how he conducts himself.

"Derek knows what he has to do - he has to keep scoring goals for Hibs. If he can do that, then he should keep his place in the Scotland squad for the next game against Wales."