Goal on big stage like Celtic Park will help prove I’m worth invite to Euros party
Hibs ace Nisbet targets strike against Hoops to boost hopes of a Scotland call for summer
KEVIN NISBET reckons Parkhead is the perfect platform to prove to Steve Clarke that he’s worth a punt for the Euros.
The in-demand hitman has shrugged of f f e vered speculation about his future and is in no hurry to leave Hibs.
Nisbet does have high hopes of hitting the big time but his immediate targets involve doing the business for the Easter Road side and forcing his way into the Scotland set-up for this summer’s big party.
And the 23-year-old reckons he could take a huge step t o w a rd s hi s dream by catching out Celtic tonight on their return from Dubai.
Nisbet said: “I’ve always had the ability to score goals. With the players around me and the chances being created this season, it shows I’m playing with better players who will create for me to put it in the back of the net.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work on the training ground and I think I’ve improved as a player and a person.
“For me it’s about keeping performing and scoring goals – putting that thought into Steve Clarke’s head.
“You need to set targets and one of mine at the start of the season was to get called up.
“This is a good showcase. It is a big occasion playing either of the Old Firm but it’s more of a team thing. We need to play well together, we need to bounce back from the last three defeats and get back on track and back to where we were at the start of the season.”
Nisbet’s head won’t get turned by transfer talk, with Sunderland the latest side who are in the hunt. The former Dunfermline frontman is ambitious – and doesn’t lack confidence – but he sees himself at home at Hibs for a while yet.
He said: “It’s just speculation. I’ve had it the last two seasons. I’m a Hibs player and that is it, I’m just looking forward to Monday.
“I don’t take much notice. When the window opens and there’s a striker scoring goals, there’s always going to be interest. It’s flattering but it’s all about Hibs for me.
“I definitely have long-term goals and a bit of patience.
“I always trust my gut. When it comes to decisions and the time to move, I follow my instinct.
“That’s what brought me here in the first place, my instinct to join Hibs and knock back a few clubs down south in the process.
“It has worked out for me so I’ll always trust myself when it comes to making that
kind of decision. I’m very happy here. I’ve settled in great and feel like I’ve fitted in very well.
“I think we’ve got a lot to accomplish this season.
“I’m confident whether I’ve scored in 10 games on the bounce or not scored in 10 games. I’m a confident person on the pitch.
“I don’t think that will change, no matter what happens.
“I’ve only been here for six months. I think it might be a bit too soon for me.
“I’m really enjoying myself here. I want to go and have success with Hibs, win cups.
“It’s just a matter of putting it to the side until matters are taken out of my hands, if that happens. I put it to the side and
focus on
Monday, focus on getting Hibs up the league.”
Hibs were battling the elements in East Mains while Celtic lapped up the sun in their controversial trip to Dubai but Nisbet is convinced the Leith men won’t be caught cold after three defeats on the spin.
He said: “I’m sitting with my hat and snood on, so that says everything!
“It would be no bad to have been in Dubai but it is good that we are just outside and out there working together, getting sharp, and demanding. “That is the key word, demanding. We need to demand more of each other. This season we have done that but we need to go out and give Celtic a good gamgame on Monday. “A lot of us werewer miles off it against LivLivingston and wew need to bounceb back from fr that. We put p hands up, acknowledge ac it and an then put it to the side and focus fo on the next ne one.”
You need targets..one of mine for this season was to get called up KEVIN NISBET ON HIS INTERNATIONAL AMBITION