Nisbet keen to move on from January episode
Ross County Hibernian ALASDAIR FRASER AT THE GLOBAL ENERGY STADIUM 1 2
IT WAS an opportunity that could have quadrupled his wages within the riches of England’s Championship.
Refusal, it seemed, had dulled the predatory instincts.
Hibernian’s rejection of Birmingham City’s multiple bids of up to £3 million for Kevin Nisbet in January coincided with a drop-off, first in form, and then in first-team involvement, for a striker previously threatening to outshine Celtic’s Odsonne Edward.
Since netting a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Celtic Park, goals had dried up for Nisbet after 13 in 24 matches and rumours abounded of a breakdown in relations between him and Easter Road manager Jack Ross.
Nisbet had handed in an official transfer request before the window closed, but, after coming off the bench to net the winner in Dingwall, insisted far too much had been made of his unhappiness at thwarted Championship ambitions.
“It wasn’t too hard, to be honest,” said Nisbet after his 61st-minute strike lifted third-placed Hibs six points above Aberdeen with six matches to play.
“Listen, things happen in football, and it was obviously a massive opportunity to go.
“I love the club, I get on really well with the gaffer and I have a great relationship with everyone. And as soon as the window closed it was in the past and my full focus and attitude was spot on.
“And for us now it’s about getting into Europe and scoring as many goals as I can for Hibs between now and the end of the season.”
A competitive first half saw few chances mustered, but the game exploded after the break. Jordan White’s downward header from a Jordan Tillson ball into the box set up Billy Mckay for a finish high into the net.
Hibs hit back swiftly, though, with Alex Iacovitti harshly adjudged to have tripped Martin Boyle in the home penalty area, to the fury of County boss John Hughes and his staff.
Boyle confidently smashed the spot-kick straight down the middle and would later be lucky to stay on the field after crashing into County’s Leo Hjelde and, again, appearing to dive in a rejected penalty claim.
Instead, though, Paul Hanlon’s cross from the left picked out substitute Nisbet at the far post for a simple tap-in that could make all the difference to Hibs Euro ambitions – while dealing a blow to County’s survival hopes.
Keith Watson, a defender with the Highland club, said: “We’re gutted because we put so much into that second half.
“Going 1-0 up we should probably do better because two minutes later we go and concede which is disappointing. But we can’t dwell on it too much because we’ve got massive games coming up and we need to be ready for them.”
BILLY DODDS says he would have been selfish if he had not answered an SOS to help out local club Inverness Caley Thistle.
The former Scotland striker, inset, has joined the interim management staff of pal Neil McCann as the Championship club deal with the absence of boss John Robertson because of compassionate leave and assistant Scott Kellacher, who is recovering from serious illness.
He said: “When you look at the situation at
Inverness and what’s happened with John [Robertson] and Scott Kellacher, it would have been very selfish of me not to take up this opportunity to try to help a local club.
“That’s where I’m at and that’s what it is. I’d just like to help them out because it is local to me.
“There were good signs on Friday night. I was at the game and it was good for me to get a look at it and analyse it. I can see the signs there.”
LEWIS HAMILTON will not waste time worrying about Mercedes’ pre-season troubles ahead of his bid for an unprecedented eighth world championship.
Mercedes, who have won the past seven drivers’ and constructors’ titles, have not been at their imperious best during the sole three days of testing prior to the new Formula One campaign which starts in Bahrain on March 28.
A gearbox failure saw the Silver Arrows miss almost all of the opening morning on Friday, before Hamilton lost further track time when he spun off into the gravel on day two.
The Briton then spun in the concluding 45 minutes yesterday, finishing the final day more than a second off the pace.
But Hamilton, 36, said: “I don’t waste time worrying because that deters you from finding a solution. It is better when it doesn’t go smoothly, and it is better that it doesn’t go smoothly now, and does go smoothly when we start racing. This is the perfect time for us to find the issues and have the problems, so I welcome them.
“Everyone is just keeping their heads down. Nobody is fazed by it. We are a multi-time championship-winning team and we know how to pull together and stay focused on the job.”
Max Verstappen set the fastest lap of the test on the final afternoon – and while lap times have to be treated with caution – there is no question that Red Bull have enjoyed an encouraging three days. Indeed, Verstappen could be Hamilton’s closest challenger for a title that would take the Briton clear of Michael Schumacher in the record books.
Red Bull will also boast a more experienced line-up this season with Perez, a veteran of almost 200 races, replacing Alexander Albon.
Hamilton added: “It is without doubt quite impressive to see the speed of some of the other teams and Red Bull are looking particularly strong.
“They will be a different machine and animal this year with a strong driver line-up and really good car. You can only assume they are going to be right there, if not at the front, at the first race and it is going to be a great, long battle with them throughout the year.”
Verstappen, 23, said: “It is too early to say how we will do but I have positive feelings in the car. We will find out in qualifying where we are because that is where you can judge pure performance, but from the test so far it has been a good few days.”
have come from around the sporting world following the death of former undisputed world middleweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler at the age of 66.
Hagler had ruled the division from 1979, but was dethroned following a controversial defeat by Sugar Ray Leonard in April 1987.
His wife Kay announced the news on the official Marvelous Marvin Hagler Fan Club Facebook page: “I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire.”
Former WBA and lineal featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan led the tributes, writing on Twitter: “Shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the incredible Marvellous Marvin Hagler. I’m honoured to have spent some amazing times with him.”
Eleven-time world champion Oscar De La Hoya said he was “saddened” by Hagler’s death, adding: “One of the greatest to ever step in the ring.”
Promoter Frank Warren said: “Boxing lost an all-time great today.”
Veteran boxing broadcaster Al Bernstein also posted a heartfelt tribute: “I am crushed to hear of the death of Marvin Hagler. I have known him since the early 1980s. I was lucky to call many of his fights and honoured to know him outside the ring. My affection and respect for him knows no bounds. Loved being around him. He will be missed.” New Jersey southpaw Hagler was only knocked down once during his professional career and defended his middleweight crown 12 times. In September 1980, Hagler fought Alan Minter at Wembley Stadium, winning by a stoppage in the third round – after the British boxer was badly cut – to claim his first world title.
During 1985, Hagler took on Thomas “Hitman” Hearns at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, which he won in three brutal rounds of a contest which became known as “The War”.
Hagler took on Leonard in April 1987, a boxer who had retired twice and not fought for almost three years. Leonard won on a split decision, and then retired immediately again afterwards, with Hagler denied a re-match.
Hagler retired from boxing in June 1988, with a record of 62 wins, two draws and three defeats.
Football Premier League, Wolves v Liverpool – Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League 1900; La Liga, Barcelona v Huesca Premier Sports 1/LaLigaTV 2000.
Cycling
Tirreno-Adriatico – Eurosport 1 1230.
Ice Hockey
NHL, Pittsburgh Pirates v Boston Bruins – Premier Sports 0000 (Tue), Los Angeles Kings v St Louis Blues – Premier Sports 0300 (Tue).
TOMORROW Football
Champions League, Manchester City v Borussia Monchengladbach – BT Sport 2 1900, Real Madrid v Atalanta – BT Sport 3 1930; Championship, Cardiff City v Stoke, Derby County v Brentford, Luton Town v Coventry City, Middlesbrough v Preston North End, Rotherham United v Watford, all on Sky Sports Red Button 1900,
Bournemouth v Swansea – Sky Sports Main Event 1930.
Cricket International T20, India v England – Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket 1300.
Horse Racing Cheltenham Festival – ITV, STV 1300.
Basketball NBA, Boston Celtics v Utah Jazz – Sky Sports Main Event 2330.
Cycling Tirreno-Adriatico – Eurosport 1 1230.
Ice Hockey NHL, New Jersey Devils v Buffalo Sabres – Premier Sports 0000 (Wed).
ON THIS DAY IN SPORT 1877
Test cricket was inaugurated when James Lillywhite’s touring England team met the Australians at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 1991 Ukrainian pole vaulter Sergey Bubka became the first man to clear 20 feet (6.1 metres) indoors.
2012 Barcelona announced defender Eric Abidal was to undergo a liver transplant a year after he had surgery to remove a tumour.
2013 Bobs Worth, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Barry Geraghty, won the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.