The hat fits for Kev as goal-getter runs riot
Jack Ross insists Kevin Nisbet should be judged on more than his goals return this season – but was thrilled to see his big summer signing get off and running with a clinical hat-trick.
The 23-year-old grabbed the opener in the 24th minute and his second 14 minutes later, before completing his treble with a penalty two minutes from time to almost singlehandedly see off a poor Livingston side.
Strike partner Christian Doidge bundled in the Easter Road side’s third four minutes from half-time to ensure Lyndon Dykes’ spotkick on the hour mark was no more than a consolation.
For some, Nisbet will now have begun repaying the controversial £250,000 transfer fee paid to Dunfermline for his services, but Ross is adamant his impact will go far beyond the goals he scores.
He said: “I’ve been really pleased with how Kevin has settled in.
“He’s made a big impression with everybody. People were impressed with how good a player he was. He played last week for me as well and played a big part in the first goal. But because he didn’t score, some people judge him on that.
“So, to score and then go on to get a hattrick is brilliant for him.”
Nisbet will be lucky to be presented with an easier chance than his opening goal even if he sees out the four-year deal he penned.
Daryl Horgan burrowed his way to the bye-line on the left and drilled a low cross that expertly dissected the six-yard box and allowed Nisbet to hammer into the roof of the net from point-blank range.
The Hibs fans who could be heard outside the ground from kick-off greeted the goal with a burst from their songbook and they enjoyed the chance to ramp up the “atmosphere” in the 38th minute when the Easter Road men doubled their lead.
Again, the danger came down the visitors’ left. Teenager Josh Doig, preferred once more to stalwart Lewis Stevenson, threaded a pass into the feet of Horgan. The winger curled in a magnificent cross and Nisbet planted his header beyond Robby McCrorie.
Livingston assistant David Martindale had been barking instructions littered with the kind of industrial language usually drowned out by supporters, but when the third goal arrived four minutes from the break he slumped back into his dugout seat to reserve his ire for the interval.
Joe Newell’s corner caused carnage in the home penalty area and Hibs’ appeals for a penalty were rendered pointless when Doidge got the final touch.
Livingston’s main ammunition throughout the first half came from the dangerous long throws of defender Ciaron Brown. Hibs dealt stoutly with that threat but Livvy, trying to ramp up the tempo after a half-time rocket, did counter with a set-piece in 60 minutes.
Debutant Matej Poplatnik went sprawling trying to reach Dykes’ cross from the right and Ryan Porteous was booked for an apparent push. Dykes got himself off the mark from the spot.
Yet, there was to be no dramatic secondhalf comeback for the Lions as Hibs held firm and Nisbet sealed his third and clinched the three points two minutes from time. Marvin Bartley was adjudged to have nudged Melker Hallberg as the replacement attacked a looping ball in the box and Nisbet confidently drilled in the penalty.
With Dundee United next up on Tuesday, Ross added: “When you look at the fixture list there’s never one where you think, ‘That’s a good one for us’. They are all tough matches, but we will go there in good spirits and try to build on the early momentum.”