Hibs ‘hopeful’ Nisbet stays at Easter Road with new deal on table

Jack Ross is optimistic that striker Kevin Nisbet will sign a new contract and remain with Hibernian beyond the close of the transfer window next week.

The 24-year-old Scotland international was the subject of a bid from Birmingham in January and has been linked with a move to Celtic this month.

However, Hibs – who are missing Welsh attacker Christian Doidge through injury – currently have a shortage of forwards, meaning Ross is currently heavily reliant on last term’s top scorer.

Ross said: “I need Kevin to be here beyond the transfer window.

“I’m always loathe to say anything definitive about any player because things can change very quickly in football but there’s been no sign of him leaving so far and in terms of his importance to me for the direction the team’s going, he’s huge, so I’m very hopeful of keeping him.”

Former Raith Rovers and Dunfermline attacker Nisbet is currently contracted to Hibs for another three years and the club are working towards offering him a new deal on improved terms.

Ross said: “Because of speculation about his future last week, people believe we’ve just suddenly started speaking about a new contract but it’s something we’ve been speaking about for a number of weeks.

“The great thing was that Kevin and his representatives were positive about those discussions and it’s continued in that vein. It’s not concluded as yet.

“From a football point of view I’ve always argued a very strong case (to the board) about how important he is for me on the pitch.

“The club have listened to that and have been very supportive. There’s nothing definitive but everything to date has been heading in the right direction.

“I speak about how big an asset he is to me but I think we’ve also provided a very good platform for him that’s helped produce his best football and culminated in him playing in a major tournament.”