I’D LOVE TO HAVE 1ST DIBS FOR HIBS
Nisbet eyes his chance to become first to puncture Gers’ clean-sheet record
Every striker in the country wants to be the one to do it.
To breach a Rangers defence that’s been impenetrable in the Premiership so far.
Kevin Nisbet is no different. The Hibs frontman is not easily fazed by whoever he’s up against.
Having bagged 57 goals in 72 starts over the last two years, the striker has every right to believe he can be the one to get the better of Gers’ backline.
He’ll get the chance at Easter Road this afternoon when Steven Gerrard’s men arrive in Leith looking to go top of the table.
A minor injury aside, Nisbet has really enjoyed his start to life at Hibs.
He’s already scored four times and his partnership up front with Christian Doidge is blossoming.
The 23-year-old is delighted at how the summer move from Dunfermline is working out.
With other clubs in for him – including rumoured interest from Gers – he’s revealed that Jack Ross’ assurance that he’d get to play as an at tacking duo with Doidge helped make up his mind.
And he says he’d love to find the net against a team who have kept a record seven straight clean sheets on the spin.
Nisbet said: “To be the first to score against Gers this s e a s on would be good.
“For us, it’s just about playing well and getting three points.
“If it’s a 1- 0 win thanks to a deflection, we’ll take it and move on to Celtic, who we’ve got in our next game.
“We’ve looked closely at Rangers. We’ve had stuff sent to us, to see where we can exploit them.
“Rangers are just another team in front of me and I want to stick a couple past them.
“It’s been a good start for myself and the club so far. It’s good for any striker to be getting goals and that’s what I’ve done.
“It was important for me to open my account and that came with a hat- trick against Livingston.
“Then I was injured, which wasn’t great, but I’ve picked up my form again and hopefully I can take that into the Rangers game.
“When I spoke to Hibs, the gaffer told me he was planning to play two up front so I knew I’d get my chance.
“I think I’ve earned the jersey – but there are a few people wait ing in the wings to take it off me.
“I like playing in a two, especially with Doidge and we have got a rea l partnership going now. “It’s gone really well so far and we’re on the right track.” After excelling at Raith
Rovers and Dunfermline in the lower leagues, people questioned if Nisbet could make the step up.
But the Hibees ace is convinced that more top-flight clubs should take a chance on forwards who are flying in the leagues below.
He said: “It’s a big step up from the Championship but I believe in myself and I am confident.
“Physically, it’s the same. You have a lot of big boys in the Championship as well and some good players too.
“But there is more of a tactical and technical side when you step up.
“You’re up against more ex per ienced pros and international players so you need to raise your game.
“Clubs are maybe a bit reluctant to sign players from lower down the leagues.
“But hopefully the likes of mys el f and Lawrence Shankland at Dundee United are proof that it’s worth taking a chance.
“People maybe see the Championship as being on a par with League One and League Two but there are a lot of good players at that level, especially the strikers.
“Obviously, they need to prove themselves and score goals. Hopefully I can do that.”
Despite Rangers’ watertight defence, Nisbet is convinced that with the service he’ll get from wide at Easter Road, he can get on the scoresheet.
He said: “Rangers haven’t conceded any goals this season and we haven’t lost one from open play yet.
“But we’re both scoring so it should be a really good game.
“For myself, we have great service coming from the wings. We’ve got Martin Boyle, Drey Wright and young Josh Doig out there.
“It’s just great for a striker to know that quality balls will be coming into the box.”