ROSS THRILLED BY NISBET’S HAMPDEN BREAKTHROUGH
Jack Ross is convinced Hibernian can reap the rewards of kevin Nisbet’s scotland debut after seeing the striker return to the Easter Road club brimming with confidence.
Nisbet was straight back into domestic duties yesterday morning after making his international bow as a late substitute for his country in the previous night’s 4-0 victory over the Faroe Islands.
The Hibs manager was thrilled for the 24-year-old (below), who he knows will now have his sights set on making it into steve clarke’s squad for this summer’s Euros.
But he is confident the experience can also prove a good thing for the Easter Road club as they prepare for Monday’s scottish cup test against Queen of the south and their bid to finish third in the Premiership.
‘The players were really pleased for him,’ said Ross. ‘We have had a number of players (Paul McGinn and Ryan Porteous) involved with scotland this season who never quite managed to get on the pitch. so the fact kevin did that, the players and staff were delighted for him.
‘once he was on the training pitch, though, he quickly settled back in. I don’t know if he was expecting an easier day! But he was back in to proper training with us and he trained really well and looked like a player full of confidence. ‘There was probably still an element of adrenaline from Wednesday night that would have been coursing through him but he trained like a player who is feeling very good about himself and that will hopefully transfer into the remaining fixtures because he was really sharp and bright. ‘For us, it’s another good reflection on us as a club, in terms of having another player recognised at that level. It was great that what steve had seen within the 10 days was enough for him to get on the pitch as well. ‘Now he wants to stay in there and get to the Euros. If he plays well for us and scores goals, then he gives himself a chance to be involved in the summer.’ Nisbet was unable to celebrate his debut with a fantasy first goal for his country but did mark his run-out with a maiden booking in dark blue after a stoppage-time foul on Hallur Hansson. ‘John Potter (the Hibs assistant manager) said he wasn’t sure who that guy chasing back defenders was,’ joked Ross. ‘He said he thought he saw that in the first few games of the season but then he’d gone missing after that! It must have been Pottsy that taught him that. I didn’t tackle as a player, so it couldn’t have been me.’