Kenny Miller, Scott Brown, Kevin Thomson, Ian Murray and Derek Riordan all progressed through the ranks at Easter Road before the Old Firm came calling to take them along the M8. Could Steven Fletcher be the next to follow this well worn path?

Hibernian fear they will not be able to hold on to Fletcher when the transfer window opens on 1 January and the rising Scotland star has been touted for a move to Celtic Park.

Wherever he ends up it seems highly unlikely Fletcher will be in the capital for the foreseeable future and Hibernian have already started preparing for his departure with the signing of former Rangers striker Jonatan Johansson. If Hibernian's negotiations over Brown and Thomson's transfers to Celtic and Rangers are anything to go by then they have proved they will be no pushover in terms of the fee.

Fletcher showed at Fir Park just why there will be such a clamour for his signature once the transfer window opens and if he continues to play in the manner in which he destroyed Motherwell then he will surely be at the forefront of George Burley's thoughts for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Holland next March.

Fletcher produced a masterclass as he tormented Motherwell with his movement and range of passing and rounded off a wonderful performance with a stunning 30-yard strike as Hibernian claimed their first win in seven outings.

Riordan has not just seen this movie before, he has starred in it when he completed a transfer to Celtic in June 2006 for £170,000. Riordan is well aware that these sort of moves can quickly turn sour and unable to make the breakthrough at the SPL champions he rejoined Hibs earlier this year. However, he has not offered Fletcher advice on what his next move should be.

Riordan said: "We want Fletch to stay – he's a good player and a great asset to the team. He's obviously going to move on at one point in his career – if he wants to move on it's up to him, it's his choice.

"I've not spoken to him about it, it's his life and you make your own choices. Obviously it didn't go well for me when I moved but I can't do anything about that. You makes choices in life and if it works, it works.

"Our fans should enjoy seeing him while he's here. I'm a Hibs supporter myself, though, and I remember being raging when our best players left. That's just part and parcel of football and you need to get on with it.

"But when I was younger I loved Tony Rougier for some reason and he left. Fans get frustrated – I remember I felt like that. You can't blame them, that's what happens."

Hibernian took just five minutes to break down Motherwell's resistance as John Rankin drilled in a low shot from 18 yards which went in off the base of Graeme Smith's right-hand post. In truth their opener should have arrived even sooner as Riordan was sent clean through by Fletcher inside the first minute but was unable to get the better of Smith.

Motherwell had barely troubled Hibernian's defence but four minutes prior to the interval they drew level as Bob Malcolm curled a free kick into the top corner.

However, Hibs reasserted their authority four minutes after the break when Riordan and Fletcher combined to set up Dean Shiels who squeezed a shot home. Then, on 61 minutes,

Fletcher got the goal his all-round performance deserved. As Murray's run along the penalty area was halted the ball broke to Fletcher, lurking 30 yards from the goal, and he unleashed an unstoppable first-time left-foot shot.

In injury-time Riordan finally got his goal as he finished off a swift Hibernian counter-attack.

Mark McGhee used his programme notes to offer Motherwell supporters the opportunity to meet him any time to discuss his side, after being annoyed at their criticism of one of his substitutions the previous weekend.

Some may well take him up on his offer after this lacklustre display which was far removed from the energetic ones which enabled them to clinch third spot last term. McGhee said: "That's as bad as it's been since I came here. We played like 11 individuals."


MAN OF THE MATCH: Stven Fletcher (Hibs)

The rising Scotland star was sensational from the first minute, when he sent Derek Riordan clean through, to when he was replaced after 79 minutes after topping off his display with a stunning 30-yard strike.