Explanation of why Kevin Nisbet’s Hibs future will take a while to play out – as Millwall hope for striker deal

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Millwall’s hopes of landing Kevin Nisbet are set to stretch into this month with the Hibernian striker unlikely to quickly resolve his future.

The Lions saw a seven-figure move for the 26-year-old break down in the January transfer window but the plan was always to resurrect a cross-border switch this summer.

Nisbet, right, has jetted off on a break after the Scottish Premiership season finished last weekend – the centre-forward scoring in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Hearts.

That is highly likely to be his last appearance for the Edinburgh outfit.

Nisbet has scored 12 goals in 20 appearances this season after missing the opening months of the campaign as he recovered from a cruciate knee injury.

The indications are that the Glaswegian will not put pen to paper on a switch until after he returns from international duty.

An injury to Southampton’s Che Adams helped seal Nisbet’s return to the Scotland squad after a two-year absence.

Steve Clarke’s side take on Norway on June 17 and then Georgia three days later.

“Kevin’s a goalscorer and we know the qualities that he brings us,” said Clarke.

Nisbet has also been linked with Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City with Scottish media also reporting that Galatasaray have scouted him.

Nisbet feels he has come back stronger for his injury setback.

“It was a long and very lonely nine months out but I put in a lot of hard work and I think people can see with my performances how hard I actually worked,” he said.

“I’ve probably come back a better player as well. I knew in my head I would but there were a lot of doubters – so it’s good to silence the doubters a bit as well.

“I’ve been there before, where January moves have fallen through, and I think I didn’t deal with it previously as well as I did this time.

“I wanted to come back and enjoy my football – and I have.”

Millwall want to add even more firepower despite already possessing two of the leading scorers in the Championship last season, Tom Bradshaw and Zian Flemming chipping in with 17 and 15 goals respectively.

A third loan spell for Oliver Burke looks unlikely.

The 26-year-old, who scored twice in 17 games, has returned to Werder Bremen. He joined them on a free transfer from Sheffield United in June 2022.