BACK with a BANG
Nisbet on goal trail again as Hibs move clear of Aberdeen in race for third
ROSS COUNTY. .1 HIBERNIAN . . . . . 2
IT WAS a chance that could have quadrupled Kevin Nisbet’s wages within the riches of England’s Championship. But, rather than reap the benefits of keeping him all to themselves, Hibernian’s rejection of Birmingham City’s multiple bids of up to £3million only seemed to dull the striker’s predatory instincts.
The stance taken by the club in January coincided with a drop off in form, and then in first-team involvement, for a forward who had been threatening to outshine Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard.
Were we witnessing a player who had downed tools after failing to get his big move? Nisbet insists that is not the case.
On league goals alone, the 24-year-old still splits Edouard and Rangers skipper James Tavernier.
And Saturday’s timely return to goalscoring form has finally offered him a chance to set the record straight.
Since netting a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Celtic Park on January 11, the goals had dried up for Nisbet after 13 in 24 matches. Rumours abounded of a breakdown in relations between him and Easter Road manager Jack Ross, given January’s events.
Nisbet had handed in an official transfer request before the window closed, but, after coming off the bench to net the winner in Dingwall on Saturday, he insisted that far too much had been made of his unhappiness at thwarted ambitions of moving to England.
‘Listen, things happen in football and it was obviously a massive opportunity,’ insisted Nisbet after his 61st-minute winner lifted thirdplaced Hibs six points above Aberdeen with six matches to play.
‘But I love the club, I get on really well with the gaffer, and I have a great relationship with everyone. As soon as the window closed, it was in the past and my full focus and attitude was spot-on.
‘I was there for the boys, I worked hard in training and I worked hard when I got on the pitch.
‘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.’
Nisbet has four years remaining of his Hibs contract and, while outside interest may be resurrected in the summer, he insists that he has re-immersed himself in making the best of this season with the Edinburgh side when so much can still happen domestically and internationally. Crucial to that has been what he claims is a positive relationship with manager Ross. ‘We had that chat and that was that, really. There was nothing more to it,’ said Nisbet. ‘It got portrayed as something bigger and I wasn’t too happy about that. ‘It happens in football, the gaffer knows that as well, he has been in the game a long time. ‘He knew that my attitude and contribution wouldn’t drop. ‘Thankfully, I am back scoring goals and now we are in a really good position for third. I am happy at Hibs — I have really enjoyed my time here. The club has done a lot for me, I have done a lot for the club.
‘We have a great relationship still, and I don’t think that every changed. And for us it’s about putting it all to bed now and focusing on (qualifying for) Europe.
‘It’s all there for me, I know that, and I needed that goal to kick me on as well.
‘One of my goals at the start of the season was to get into the Scotland squad and now I am back playing and scoring I have every chance.
‘We’ll see what happens over the next couple of days (when Steve Clarke names his Scotland squad for World Cup qualifiers).
‘Financially, Europe is massive for the club and, as players, it’s exposure and a chance to go and challenge ourselves.
‘It has been a long time since Hibs finished third as well, so this is a massive opportunity for us to go and put that right.’
Nisbet dismissed his recent ebb in first-team favour, preferring instead to credit the form of Martin Boyle and Christian Doidge.
But he acknowledged the personal frustration he felt during an eight-game barren spell.
Insisting Saturday’s win was all about the team, however, the former Dunfermline and Raith Rover striker added: ‘It was massive. It’s the first time we have come from behind and won as well.
‘With it being our game in hand, it puts a bit of distance between ourselves and Aberdeen.
‘With them not playing, we knew we had to take advantage of it and I thought the boys were brilliant.
‘Thankfully, I came on and contributed and we got the win.’
A competitive first half saw few chances mustered, but the game exploded after the break courtesy of Ross County’s Jordan White.
His brilliant knockdown 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 County’s Alex Iacovitti harshly adjudged to have tripped Boyle in the home penalty area, to the fury of manager John Hughes (pictured left) and his staff.
Boyle converted the spot-kick straight down the middle.
But he later appeared lucky to stay on the field after earning a booking for crashing into County’s Leo Hjelde and, then appearing to dive in a rejected penalty claim for which he escaped another card.
Following that reprieve for the Australian international, 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.
ROSS COUNTY (3-5-2): Laidlaw 8; Donaldson 6 (Gardyne 68), Watson 6, Iacovitti 6 (Shaw 83); Naismith 7, Tillson 6 (Draper 68), Spittal 5 (Hylton 63), Lakin 5 (Paton 68), Hjelde 6; White 6, Mckay 7. Subs not used: Hilton, Vigurs, Charles-Cook, Kelly. Booked: White. HIBERNIAN (4-4-2): Marciano 6; McGinn 6, Porteous 7, Hanlon 6, Doig 6 (Stevenson 75); Cadden 6 (Nisbet 52), Irvine 6, Gogic 6, Newell 6; Boyle 8, Doidge 7 (McGregor 88). Subs not used: Macey, Gray, Magennis, Wright, Hallberg, Allan, McGregor. Booked: Gogic, Boyle, Newell. Man of the match: Martin Boyle. Referee: John Beaton.