Canada boss Jesse Marsch saluted Junior Hoilett's impact after the Hibs star made a match-winning contribution off the bench.

The 34-year-old scored the only goal as the Canadians beat Suriname 1-0 in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals at the weekend. Hoilett struck nine minutes from time to give his side the advantage heading into the second leg at home on Wednesday, with Canada firm favourites to reach the last four.

Hoilett, who signed for Hibs in August following a fruitful spell at Aberdeen in the final months of the 2023/24 campaign, is back in the international fold after being forced to drop out of the summer's Copa America campaign with injury. It took him just three minutes to find the crucial winner after being sent on by Marsch with the match heading for a stalemate, and the former Leeds United manager says it's the mark of the man that he produced when called upon.

“He’s so well respected in the team," said Marsch. "They all appreciate his professionalism, his character, his selflessness, like he’s almost a perfect reflection of what the overall squad is, and I think they’ve all looked up to him over the years. Anytime he comes in, he has a natural gravity to his personality, and then we all know he provides quality in set piece situations and in the final third. So the idea of bringing him in was maybe we’d be in a game like this, and we could put him in the match and he could help us make a play.”

Hoilett himself expressed his delight at making his mark for Canada once more. In an exclusive interview with the Hibs Observer in September, the veteran winger stated plainly that he was determined to keep contributing for his country, not least with the 2026 World Cup being joint-hosted by Canada and the USA. Speaking after Saturday's winner, Hoilett said it felt 'amazing' to be among the goals again.

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“Missing out on Copa was a bit devastating, but the team inspired me to come back strong and work hard to be a part of the squad," he said. "The brotherhood is strong here and it’s amazing to be back in the squad to get my name on the scoresheet. When you have talent on the bench, our job is to come on and make an impact when the team is putting in a shift and there are a few tired legs. So the manager told me to come in and make a play and I’m happy to get a get my name on the scoresheet.”