Striker Nisbet’s rise to national team honours
with 35 goals in all competitions and claimed the SPFL Tartan Boot Award for finishing joint-top goalscorer in Scotland, level with Edinburgh City’s Blair Henderson.
“It’s an amazing record,” McGlynn, added. “These leagues aren’t easy at all but he was flying and just months previously he was sitting on the bench on loan at a Dumbarton team that got relegated.
“Although he was scoring goals, there was more to his game but the goals gave him the confidence to progress.
“He’s got an excellent all round game; brilliant touch, awareness, composure and he’s a good size which allows him to compete physically – he’s the real deal.”
Despite Nisbet’s sensational goal haul, Raith failed to achieve promotion to the Championship which allowed the prolific striker to activate a clause in his contract to leave the club.
He moved across Fife to arch rivals Dunfermline but there is no ill-feeling from McGlynn, just a happiness that Nisbet has fulfilled the potential that was evident to the Rovers boss from day one.
“When you’re a striker and you move to a bigger club, you really need to hit the ground running and Kevin managed that at Hibs.
“Ultimately, you are judged on goals and that’s why you’ve been signed by the manager. If you can start well then you gain that belief that you can play at that level.
“The call-up to the Scotland squad is well deserved and I’m delighted for him. He’s still developing and I don’t think he’s finished because he’s still relatively young,” McGlynn, concluded.
The upward trajectory of Nisbet’s career continued at Dunfermline where he finished with 23 goals across 32 appearances in the curtailed 2019/20 season.
Four goals against former club Thistle in a 5-1 rout in November was a moment of validation which led to interest from bigger clubs in the January window, including Hibernian.
The Pars rebuffed any offers hoping that Nisbet could fire them to promotion but he was subsequently injured before the pandemic hit and the gamble didn’t pay off. A host of clubs were understandably interested in Nisbet’s services in the summer but he decided to move to Easter Road after encouragement from his inner circle.
When a new striker joins a football club, there can often be a feeling of resentment from rivals who feel that their starting place is in jeopardy.
It’s testament to the togetherness of Jack Ross’ Hibs squad and the personality of Welsh striker Christian Doidge that this never materialised.
In fact, the 28 year-old fellow Hibs star admired Nisbet as soon as he walked in the door.
Doidge said: “He was full of energy when he arrived, he wanted to improve and to learn. One thing that stands out about Kev is how hard he works and how mentally strong that he is.
“If he misses chances then he will always try and get on the end of things. He never hides and he’s an out and out goal scorer.
“You can see the frustration on his face when he hasn’t scored and it’s a very good trait to have as a striker.
“He’s probably not gone off the pitch too disappointed this season because he’s scored a lot of goals.
“He’s done tremendous this season and we are really lucky to have him.”
Nisbet has quieted any doubters by scoring 14 goals this season for a Hibernian side that look destined for a third-place finish.
The 24-year-old has endured a difficult few months after his dad tragically passed away just days before he courageously played in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts.
Doidge added: “Mentally he’s had things go on in his personal life. That might have seen a lot of people go under but not Kev.
“He’s been in every day, worked hard and he’s been a real leader on the pitch for us.
“We’ve worked really well together this year and we are similar in some aspects of our play. We both like to spin in behind and drop deep and perhaps we’ve been guilty of making the same movements at times this year.
“We’ve formed a good partnership for Hibs and I don’t think many defenders have enjoyed playing against us this season.”
Steve Clarke’s decision to hand Nisbet his maiden call-up to the Scotland squad led to jubilant scenes at the Hibernian training centre.
Chief tormentor Martin Boyle was banging the dinner tables in the canteen as the Hibernian players congratulated their delighted teammate.
Although Doidge wasn’t present, his euphoric reaction to the news encapsulates the proud feeling amongst the Hibs squad towards the Scotland international.
“Everyone was over the moon for Kevin. I was gutted that I wasn’t in the canteen but I remember I saw it on Twitter in the changing room and I was running around the training centre trying to find him.
“All the boys are buzzing for him and it’s great to see the Hibs lads get the recognition that he deserves.
“When I saw him, he had a massive smile on his face and it was a really special moment.
“He really deserves it after everything that’s happened with his dad and what he said to him before he passed away it’s very touching,” Doidge concluded.
Kevin Nisbet’s journey from rejection to redemption should fill him with immense pride but it should also act as inspiration to young footballers in Scotland that have lost their way.
Kevin’s matured into a professional footballer with a steely mindset. Scott Allison