MARIUS NICULAE is dreaming of starring at Euro 2008 after finally shattering his SPL duck with a deadly double. The Romanian international, who has 12 goals from 28 caps, ensured resurgent Caley heaped fresh misery on their Edinburgh visitors. Having previously only netted against Alloa in Scotland, the former Sporting Lisbon striker is hell-bent on facing France, Italy and Holland in next summer's group of death. The 26-year-old, who struck the second after Hibs were denied a goal that should have stood, believes a recall to the international fold can happen. Niculae, who last played for his country against Colombia in summer 2006, admitted: "It was hard until today. I'd come so close to scoring and had a lot of chances but not much luck. "I missed a penalty at Easter Road, hit the woodwork and been blocked so often. "It affects your morale because strikers thrive on goals. People expected much when I first came here so it's stressful to wait so long. "But now, finally, I find myself. I feel all right tonight and I feel my luck is with me and I can build on it. "Getting back into Romania's squad means everything to me - I'll fight for that. "I've spoken to the national coach and he says everything depends on how I do here. "I'm sure he will call me if I can get the performances and goals. "It would be a dream but like Scotland in the qualifiers we have a group of death." John Collins' men have still never won - or scored - in Inverness and must start to feel that a jinx is in play. At 1-0 down, and with the capital side in the ascendancy, Clayton Donaldson beat Michael Fraser and saw the ball hit the underside and cross the line. But referee Kenny Clark, with no assistance from his linesman, deemed it play on. It was Caley Thistle's sixth win over Hibs in nine meetings in a defeat that dented Collins' European ambitions. The Highlanders were unchanged from the side who dealt Dundee United their first home defeat last weekend Collins, with skipper Rob Jones still out, gave young Darren McCormack his chance alongside Chris Hogg. It took 19 minutes for the game to burst into life but once up and running it was enthralling stuff. The first flash of individual skill came from Filipe Morais as he left Richard Hastings for dead on the right. Morais drove a low ball across the face of goal but there were no takers. Roy McBain then powered through on the left channel and squared to John Rankin who completely fluffed his shot. Steven Fletcher then had a powerful shot blocked in 24 minutes by Fraser. A minute later Rankin saw a 25-yard lash superbly turned away by Yves Ma-Kalambay. Niculae also cracked a low shot straight at the Belgian. Just three minutes before the break, McBain nodded to Rankin deep in Hibs' half and he lobbed ball through. Niculae, having timed his run superbly, was free to calmly prod the ball over the outcoming Ma-Kalamby. The second half started at pace with Rankin's 40-yard attempt coming close. And there was exasperation for Donaldson as his shot over Fraser hit the bar and bounced apparently on the line. But TV pictures later confirmed it had been a goal. Niculae then capped a memorable day with the killer second in 78 minutes. Kevin McCann's weak header was fired goalwards by Niculae and blocked on the line by Darren McCormack. But the rebound rolled straight back to the hitman who drilled in from a 10-yard angle to seal the points. In verness boss Craig Brewster said: "Three clean sheets and victories in a row is pleasing but we rode our luck at times." REF WATCH KENNY CLARK refereed sensibly for the majority of the match but failed to get any support from his linesman for the Hibs "goal that never was". Easter Road star Clayton Donaldson's second-half effort was shown by TV to be clearly over the line. Rating: 6/10. MATCH STATS 6 SHOTS ON 5 4 SHOTS OFF 4 2 OFF SIDE 2 15 FOULS 8 3 CORNERS 3 1 BOOKINGS 0 | 
