Arsenal star Kieran Tierney backs Kevin Nisbet to thrive with Celtic if the Hoops can agree a transfer for the Hibernian striker. Ange Postecoglou is now courting his arrival at Parkhead.
That is according to The Scottish Sun, which has reported that Celtic want to sign Nisbet to replace Giorgos Giakoumakis. But the Daily Record also reports that Hibernian are loath to sanction a transfer. The Easter Road natives are eager to reject all offers and for any price.
Celtic have turned their attention to Nisbet, who is a close friend of Tierney, after scoring seven goals in six Premiership games this season. The 25-year-old only returned to fitness in December after rupturing his cruciate ligament. But he instantly hit a great vein of form.
Nisbet had been out of action since February with his injury but has already outperformed his 2021/22 achievements. The Glasgow-born hitman only scored five goals and assisted a further one through 26 Premiership games last term. He hit nine in 36 in all competitions.
Celtic now sense a chance to seal Nisbet’s transfer as the 10-cap Scotland forward is out of contract with Hibernian in 2024. The Edinburgh team signed the striker on a four-year deal in 2020 from Dunfermline Athletic. He has hit 34 goals and assisted 12 in 87 matches since.
Tierney backs Nisbet to shine at Celtic with a transfer from Hibernian
Tierney and Nisbet established a strong and lasting bond during their time together in the academy at Celtic. The latter of the pair left the Hoops fold early on into his development. But they have stayed close friends since and Tierney now backs Nisbet to thrive for Celtic.
“Kev’s the kind of player who could go anywhere, not just Celtic, and score,” Tierney told The Scottish Sun. “He’s a born goalscorer. I was playing in the younger age groups with him, he was always the top goalscorer for us. One season, he had over 100 goals.
“I know it’s different when you’re younger. But you still don’t score 100 goals if you are not a natural goalscorer. So, he could easily score goals at any level, I’ve no doubt.”
Tierney also praises the character Nisbet has shown to bounce back from a major injury at Hibernian and explode straight away to now earn transfer interest from Celtic this January. The attacker has so far struck against Rangers, Livingston, Motherwell and Dundee United.
“It just shows his character,” Tierney said. “He went away and he worked incredibly hard. He’s worked harder than he’s ever had to. It’s the biggest injury he’s ever had.
“The character and drive he’s got, and to come back scoring so many, I’m not surprised. Kevin deserves everything he gets, every goal he scores. I’m sure he will be delighted how he’s come back.”
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