The 18-year-old has been in excellent form since the arrival of Bobby Williamson as manager and has scored in each of the club's last four games.

Hibs have won three out of four under Williamson in the league and O'Connor's goals have been invaluable.

His form has earned him praise from new national manager Berti Vogts who could be tempted to include him in his squad to play Nigeria next month.

"Berti Vogts is playing a lot of younger players now, and every youngster must feel they have a chance.

"Keep doing well, and you never know what is round the corner.

Exciting young players

"But I am still trying to impress the gaffer here. All you can do is play your football when you are on that pitch, and if Berti is here then you hope he likes you.

"Obviously I would love to play for Scotland but I have to keep playing well here for Hibs, and if I get into the Scotland squad it will be a bonus.

"If I keep going well here for Hibs then I hope I can get in the squad for the Nigeria game."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Football Writers Association, who make the award, said: "We are delighted that, whilst Garry would qualify for the young player of the month, we decided to make him player of the month.

"We are very fortunate in Scotland that we have such an exciting number of young players and all credit must go to the clubs such as Hibernian for encouraging the future of Scottish football."