Ryan Gauld admits a vibrant Scottish league and the potential to play for his country helped persuade him to move to Hibernian.

The former Dundee United playmaker is back in his native land on loan from Sporting after four-and-a-half years in Portugal and ready to make his Hibs debut in the William Hill Scottish Cup against Elgin on Saturday.

Gauld only played a handful of first-team games for the Lisbon club after his big-money move, but has had several loan spells. But with the latest in the Portuguese second tier with Farense, Gauld hankered after a return to the atmosphere of the Scottish game.

"Spending the last six months in the second division in Portugal, I thought this was the first time since I went to Portugal that it was the right time to come back to Scotland and get back to enjoying playing in front of big crowds. That's what Hibs have.

"I was aware of their interest for a couple of months before January, and when I saw all the work they put in and interest they showed in me, it made me really keen to come back.

"I just want somewhere I am going to feel comfortable and hopefully going to get a lot of game time and the opportunity to show what I can do, because at this moment you can see a lot of good signings have been made in the league.

"I think this is the strongest Scottish football has been for some time, the most competitive the league has been. So I think it's a good time to be involved in Scottish football."

Gauld's former Tannadice team-mates and close friends John Souttar, Stuart Armstrong and Andy Robertson have all made themselves part of the Scotland set-up while the 23-year-old has drifted out of the international picture. And the creative midfielder is determined to force himself into Alex McLeish's thoughts.

"That was definitely part of my intentions as well, because I see at the moment the manager is choosing a lot of boys that are playing in the Scottish league," he said.

"Hopefully, if I can chip in and help Hibs and hopefully show what I can do, who knows what can happen?

"If you ask any player, one of their dreams is playing for their country. I had a wee taste of it just after I moved to Portugal, I was in and around it for a couple of qualifying games, and it's definitely something I would want to be involved in again."

Gauld would not rule out staying at Easter Road beyond the summer.

He said: "That's been spoken about but at the moment I am just concentrating on my short loan spell, and then if all goes well and if both parties are happy, then why not? But that discussion will take place in the summer."