CHARACTER, RESILIENCE & COURAGE
Ross hails Hibs ace Nisbet after call-up
JACK ROSS paid tribute to Kevin Nisbet’s remarkable resilience and character after the Hibs striker won his dream Scotland call-up.
The 24-year-old lost father Thomas, described by the player as his ‘hero’, to liver cancer in October in the midst of a challenging first season trying to prove himself in the Premiership.
But the prolific marksman showed his strength of character and ensured his career stayed on an incredible upward curve by convincing Steve Clarke he’s good enough for international football.
Only three years ago, Nisbet was released by Partick Thistle and confessed to attitude problems as he was forced to start over again in League One with Raith Rovers.
But he has been a man on a mission, rattling in 57 goals in just 75 games for Raith and then Dunfermline before last summer’s move to Hibs.
Seven-figure bids from Birmingham City in January may have turned his head temporarily but Ross believes Nisbet should be proud of his latest achievement after the devastating body blows he has suffered on and off the pitch.
He said: “There’s a lot of talk and discussion – and probably people looking for answers, surrounding how you build resilience into young people and young players.
“Quite often, it’s learned through experience, such as the experiences Kevin’s had. He’s had to build up that resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
“But also he’s had some realisation along the way, that in order to fulfil his potential there are things he’s needed to do. It’s a combination of that. It’s having that strength of character, allied to the fact he’s had moments along the way, realising he’s got to apply himself better and work harder and keep learning, to progress as a player.
“When Kevin came out publicly about his father’s death, I spoke at the time about how challenging that is for a young man in any walk of life.
“To lose your father at such a young age is a terrible thing and he’s shown a lot of courage and strength of character.
“Speaking to him, one of the things I emphasised is how proud he should feel. It’s a proud moment for him and his family that he’s in the squad and the next step will come with earning that cap.”
Nisbet revealed yesterday that he had promised his father he would fight for a Scots cap in one of their last conversations. And Ross said: “He’ll feel like he’s honoured his father’s memory after the conversations they had. It’ll be a big moment for him. He’s a young man, only 24, and it’s a lot to deal with at that age.
“But he has dealt with it well, he’s learned from it and he’s grown again.
“Sometimes these tough experiences are the ones that build your character.”
Clarke phoned Ross on Monday ahead of his squad announcement and it was a chance to discuss Nisbet’s attributes with someone who sees him day-in, day-out. The Hibs boss is convinced Clarke will have no regrets over his selection when he gets the chance to work with the player.
He said: “The one thing I said to Steve was when he starts to work with him I don’t think he’ll be disappointed.
“I want him to go there and be a success because it helps us as a country and I do believe he’s got the attributes. It’s another step up in terms of the players he’s going to be playing alongside and the opposition.
“When we first brought him to Hibs, right away he seized the opportunity and hopefully he’ll do that with Scotland.”