‘I don’t lack confidence’ – Millwall summer signing Kevin Nisbet not overthinking wait for first goal in English football

Millwall summer signing Kevin Nisbet believes he should have already opened his account for the club – and insists that he would be more concerned if the chances were not falling his way.

The 26-year-old Glaswegian has started both Championship matches this season since signing at The Den over the summer in a seven-figure move from Scottish side Hibernian.

Nisbet forced two saves from Middlesbrough keeper Seny Dieng in the opening day 1-0 win and registered two shots in the 1-0 defeat to Bristol City last weekend.

The Scottish international, who scored two hat-tricks during pre-season, is still searching for his first Millwall goal.

“I really thought I should have had a couple against Middlesbrough,” Nisbet told the South London Press.

“I didn’t have many chances against Bristol City. I know that if I keep getting the chances that I will put them away and it will come very soon.

“When I was younger, I used to think about the game too much after, and it snowballed into the next week and the next game, but as you grow as a player, you put it to bed.

“Obviously you’re going to miss chances, it’s just about being there to put in the next one. Sometimes it just needs to hit off you and go in, and that puts you on a run.

“I have been in these situations before in clubs where you don’t score for three or four games and everyone goes: ‘He can’t handle it,’ and then I go and score 10 in four games.

“It’s the way it is as a striker. It’s the hardest position to play on the park. You need to score goals and you’re under a lot of pressure, but I know and believe I can score goals.

“I don’t lack confidence. It doesn’t matter if I am scoring or not. I would be more worried if I wasn’t in the positions or situations to try and take the chance.

“I always back myself to score goals. I know that as soon as one goes in, they will start flying in.

“He [Gary Rowett] is fairly happy. My link-up play and movement has been fairly decent to get opportunities.

“I just need to get that first one. Hopefully, it starts on Sunday [against Norwich].”

Nisbet climbed his way through the Scottish divisions following his release from Partick Thistle to reach the Premiership when he signed for Hibs in July 2020.

The striker bagged 27 goals in 86 Scottish top-flight appearances before heading to The Den this summer.

“It’s got a lot of similarities to the Scottish Premier League,” he said, assessing his start to life in England.

“It’s physical, but it’s probably a bit more tactical down here as well.

“There are better players down here as well, which factors into it. Big and quick defenders. You need to have that football brain to get away from them.

“I asked a few boys in the Scotland team as well – [QPR striker Lyndon] Dykes and [Leeds defender] Liam Cooper – for feedback.

“They played down here and gave me a few things to look out for.”

Nisbet has started both Championship matches alongside Zian Flemming, who won Millwall’s Player of the Year last time out following a debut campaign that saw him grab 15 goals and pick up three assists.

“You can tell straight away how good he actually is,” said Nisbet of the Dutch attacker. “He’s a great person and an unbelievable player.

“He’s probably sitting in the same boat that I am – that it’s not going for him right now. But I have been impressed with Duncan Watmore as well. He’s been really good. In training, he has been a driving force from midfield to attack. Playing with those two, I’ll score plenty this season.”

Millwall head to Carrow Road on Sunday to take on David Wagner’s Norwich City side.

“We want it to click a lot quicker, but it might take a few games for us to click as a new team,” admitted Nisbet.

“We have new players in a new system with players who haven’t played before. Hopefully, it all clicks on Sunday, and we put a good performance in.”