Jack made me a better player... but I will never forget how he stuck by me through tough times
Nisbet reveals the huge debt of gratitude he owes former boss Ross for progress at Hibs
THERE can be no room for sentiment. Especially not this season’s first major piece of silverware is up for grabs and a new manager is about to arrive. But if Kevin Nisbet finds himself on the podium with the League Cup in his grasp later this afternoon at Hampden, there will be a moment when he can pause amid the celebrations and think of the man who helped him rise to what will be one of his career highlights.
The Hibernian striker remains grateful to former manager Jack Ross for the work and support he offered. Times have been tough — both on and off the pitch — but their relationship remains strong even after the 45-year-old’s recent departure from the Easter Road hotseat.
‘I spoke to Jack after he left and I have a lot of gratitude towards him,’ revealed Nisbet. ‘He was the one who brought me to the club and made me a better player.
‘He also stuck by me in tough times, so I have a lot of good things to say about him. I have no doubt in the future that he will go and get himself a really good job.
‘Jack gave me belief and he also helped my all-round game. When I
first signed, I was lacking
He looked after me when I had off-field issues. I’ve a lot of time for him
in areas. But we worked on things and he improved me a lot.
‘Jack gave me the platform to play and stuck by me when I was going through mini-droughts in front of goal.
‘He also really looked after me when I had off-field issues. I have a lot of time for him.’
Nisbet’s experiences of the national stadium have not been pleasant. A 3-0 trouncing in the semi-final of last season’s competition against St Johnstone, followed by a 1-0 defeat to the same opponents in the Scottish Cup final, provided him with the kind of hurt that will occupy some of his thoughts as he runs out at Hampden today.
Care must be taken, however, to put torment on the pitch into context with tragedy off the field.
On October 31 last year, the 24-year-old played in the delayed Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts just three days after his dad, Thomas, passed away having suffered from liver cancer.
Missing an extra-time penalty in the 2-1 loss against Hibs’ fiercest rivals was devastating but it remains admirable that Nisbet felt that he was able to compete despite his grief.
The turbulence that comes with an in-demand player surfaced in the January window when Birmingham City saw multiple bids for Nisbet turned down and he handed in a transfer request.
Throughout all his eventful moments following his arrival from Dunfermline in the summer of 2020, Nisbet comfortably reflects on the time he spent under Ross. Discussing his uncertainty in January, Nisbet continued: ‘Jack gave me a lot of
advice when that was happening. He’s been through a lot of it as a manager and he was good with me.
‘He did the right thing by me, he took the pressure and limelight off me for a few weeks and then eased me back in.
‘It worked wonders for me as after that I got my Scotland call-up and I have been in every squad since. I have a lot of time for Jack and Potts (Ross’s assistant John Potter). They did a lot for me and I wish them all the best.’
Following his arrival from East
End Park, Nisbet continued his impressive scoring form by netting 18 goals for Hibs in his debut season. He currently has six to his name so far this term and views his decision to leave the Pars and step up a level to join Ross as a crucial crossroads.
‘My career could have gone the other way but Jack brought me to Hibs,’ said Nisbet. ‘He played a big part in getting me the Scotland call-up and he kept me motivated when times were tough.
‘Jack always kept my confidence levels high and he always believed in me. I will be forever grateful to him.’
The striker, of course, hopes the only way remains up at both club and international level, starting today under interim manager David Gray. Winning the first major trophy of his career and catching the eye of Shaun Maloney, who remains favourite for the job, would certainly be progress.
‘It’s sad what happened but we have a cup final now and the boys are 100 per cent behind Dave, Sammy (Craig Samson) and Eddie (May),’ added Nisbet.
‘They have been great since the gaffer’s departure, so we are all behind Dave for the final.
‘He’s a great role model and leader for the club. Dave’s been there and won the Scottish Cup as captain — scoring in the last minute. We are all definitely behind him and looking forward to Sunday.’
Facing Celtic — a club that has been regularly linked with an interest in Nisbet — offers extra motivation.
Having impressed against Rangers in the semi-final, Nisbet views the clash with Ange Postecoglou’s team as a chance for the Easter Road side to win the trophy in almost perfect fashion. And, personally, for him to grab these opportunities when they arrive.
‘It would be my first major trophy in my professional career,’ said Nisbet, who noted that tightness in his groin during the midweek home win against Dundee prompted his second-half substitution as a mere
precaution amid a hectic run of games.
‘You look at Harry Kane who hasn’t won anything. You never know when the next opportunity will come. ‘When opportunities like Sunday come, you need to take it and win trophies. As a player, you always want to win. You do all your hard work to get to the final.
‘We put in a good shift against Rangers. It would be the best way to win it — beating Rangers in the semi and then beating Celtic in the final, the two best teams in the country. It would be a lot more deserving.
‘Not just me, but the squad has been through some tough times at Hampden. We’ve been close and there were times when we should have won.
‘But we take responsibility for that as players and the only thing we can try to do is rectify it. We’ve continually kept getting into semifinals as a team and a club, which is great. Now it’s time for us to get over the line and win the cup.
‘It’s the worst feeling in the world if you’ve lost a final. As a player, you never want to go through that again. Every time you get to a final, you never know it might be the only final in your career, so you need to take the chance.’ lKevin Nisbet (left) was speaking at a Premier Sports Cup event. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player. Prices start from £12.99 per month.
It would be the best way to win it — beating Rangers in the semi then Celtic