Nisbet has ambition but he refuses to have his head turned by suitors
Kevin Nisb et says he would ignore the speculation linki n g h i m w i t h a move away from Easter Road but it’s not that easy when his Hibs teammates turn news of every fresh suitor into a welcome excuse to take the mickey.
“I’ve had a wee bit of stick off the lads, just banter – and that’s a good way to deal with it,” he said. “Especially after the last two defeats. It helps us to get back together and find a bit of unity.”
Those last t wo losses have been damning not just because they cost Hibs the chance to pile pressure on third-placed Aberdeen but because the displays have amplified their fans’ disquiet.
N i s b e t , wh o r e ma i n s o n e the Premiership’s top scorers, wi t h 10 g o a l s i n 2 0 a p p e a rances, last scored in the victor y over St Mirren, prior to Christmas.
Without his goals the European hopefuls have drawn a blank in the last three outings and with goals being leaked a t t h e o t h e r e n d , t h e y h e a d into tonight’s league meeting with Celtic, hoping to avoid the unwanted statistic of four straight losses since their relegation season, in 2014.
B u t , wh i l e N i s b e t h a s n o t b een immune to the recent dip in form, he says the lull between games, afforded the capital side by Celtic’s Dubai trip, has injected energy back into Jack Ross’ side who started the season in such positive form.
Ni s b e t was a h u g e p a r t o f that, with his overall play simply augmenting his value in front of goal.
That has earned him admiring lo oks. Sunderland have joined Sheffield United on the list of interested par ties but, with just half a season under his belt at the Leith club, the 23-year- old striker says he is not looking to manufacture a move and claims that allowing the rumours to turn his head would be disrespectful to a club who have aided his development since Ross, pictured inset, signed him from Dunfermline in the summer.
“I’ve only been here for six months so I think it might be a bit too soon for me,” said Nisbet. “I’m really enjoying myself here and I want to go and have success with Hibs, I want to win cups so It’s just a matter of putting it to the side until matters are taken out of my hands, if that happens. I have put it to the side and I’m focusing on the Celtic game. My focus is on getting Hibs up the league.”
While the bright lights and big finances associated with the English game prove to o hard for many players to resist, there is a calmness in the player that stems from an inner confidence, work ethic and a clear vision of a brighter future.
“Ye a h , I d e f i n i te l y h ave l o n g - t e r m g o a l s a n d a b i t o f pa t i e nc e ,” s ai d Ni s b e t . “I always trust my gut and when it comes to decisions and the time to move, I will follow my instincts. “That’s what brought m e h e r e i n t h e f i r s t place, my instinct to j oi n Hibs – and knock back a few clubs down south in the process. That 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 fit in ver y, ver y well, and I think we’ve got a lot to accomplish this season.”