In modern football, height, speed and strength are considered as three crucial attributes. It is often said that towering players with an adequate level of technique have a better chance of making the grade than smaller, perhaps more skilful, peers.

Most of the Danish players who lined up against Malta in last weekend's World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium were tall and fast but Andrew Cohen showed that you don't have to be over six feet tall to be a good footballer.

Exuding confidence, the diminutive Hibs playmaker caught the eye with some exquisite touches. Cohen's performance didn't suffice to steer Malta to a positive result as Denmark ran out 3-0 winners but it went some way towards strengthening his prospects of nailing down a regular place in the national team.

Cohen wants to remain at the centre of the picture but his immediate priority is tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Hungary.

"I still think we can take a lot of positives from Saturday's match," Cohen told The Times at the Ramada Plaza, the base of the Malta squad in Budapest.

"We really tried hard. The 3-0 scoreline was disappointing but I think our performance was quite satisfactory. Our focus now is on the match against Hungary. They would want to beat us with plenty of goals after their 1-0 win in Albania but I'm not concerned about that.

"Past encounters show that we normally do well against this team and I honestly believe that we can gain something from this match."

Cohen depicted a rosy picture of the atmosphere among the players.

"The spirit is not low," the 27-year-old replied when asked if the players were having problems putting last weekend's 3-0 upset behind them.

"We had a few scoring chances against Denmark... the match might have taken a different course had we taken the lead. We're now looking forward to our next match and our mindset is to go out on the pitch and try to get a good result."

Dusan Fitzel blamed Malta's edgy start on Saturday on a lack of self-belief by his players.

Cohen suggested that the best way for Malta to overcome this psychological barrier is to attack the opposition from the start.

"I think the coach will adopt a different approach in Hungary," Cohen said.

"He wants us to have a solid start on Wednesday. Sometimes we sit back and wait for the opponents to come at us in the first 15 minutes but I expect us to go into our next match without fear."

Looking back on his transformation from a fringe player to a key component in the Malta team, Cohen said: "In an interview I had with The Times a few months ago, I declared that my aim was to establish myself with the national team.

"Then came the friendly against Ferencvaros in February and the coach gave me a chance to show my worth. I played the first 45 minutes and felt I did quite well.

"A week later, Malta played Albania and I was again chosen to start. I was 100 per cent fit and I tried to play to the best of my abilities.

"I kept my place in the team against Denmark and I really felt good in that match. To be honest, I relish playing against the top nations in European football.

"I know it's hard to compete with the likes of Denmark but for me, once I dribble past a player, my confidence soars."

Cohen has good reason to be optimistic about his chances of adding to his 26 caps but he readily acknowledges that that can only be achieved through hard work and consistency.

"The coach has shown faith in me and I've done my utmost to repay him," Cohen remarked.

"I believe I have a better chance now of staying in the team but it will not be easy. There's a healthy competition for places. Etienne Barbara is pushing hard. Terrence Scerri is another strong contender.

"I feel more comfortable when Terrence's playing because we have forged an excellent partnership at club level."

Although Cohen has been one of Hibs' leading players for much of the past decade, he also had to fight hard to break into the first team.

"Even with Hibs, I had to wait for my chance to come," Cohen said.

"Once I became a regular, my form improved and I also won a string of team and personal honours. When you're on top, there's the risk of taking things for granted and there was a time when I slackened a bit.

"I also had to deal with injuries. When things are not going well, you either give up or else raise your efforts to get back to previous levels. When I was out of the game, I brought to mind the happiness I felt when I was at the height of my game and that made me more determined to recover fitness and form."

Shifting focus onto Hibs' quest to win the Premier League, Cohen said: "We had a disastrous season last year and played in the Relegation Pool. But new coach Mark Miller brought about a lot of changes. He instilled a new mentality and the mediocrity that engulfed the squad before was quickly swept away.

"The improvement is there for all to see this season. The coach, players and club administrators are working together as a unit. We are playing attractive football and deserve to be leading the Premier League."

Hibs is the only club Cohen has played for... he has no ambition to change colours.

"My aim is to see out my career with Hibs," Cohen said.

"Unless an opportunity to play abroad comes along, I don't see myself playing for another Maltese club."