Former Hibernian ace Tam McManus cannot see Kevin Nisbet leaving Easter Road for Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic during the final few days of the transfer window, as he told the Daily Record.
With every week that goes by, the decision to hand Lee Griffiths a one-year contract extension is starting to look increasingly curious.
The Scotland international may remain one of the most natural finishers in the country but, at 31 and having missed much of last season through injury, Griffiths is hardly a natural fit for Ange Postecoglou’s high-octane, high-pressing style.
The veteran poacher has not made a single first-team appearance since Postecoglou’s arrival either, falling behind Odsonne Edouard, Albian Ajeti and the outstanding Kyogo Furuhashi in the pecking order.
Considering that Celtic have won each of their last six games, scoring 24 goals along the way, that is unlikely to change any time soon. If it ain’t broke, and all that…
Is Kevin Nisbet to Celtic a no-go for now?
So while Griffiths remains a living legend at Easter Road on the back of two prolific seasons in Edinburgh, McManus has been left nonplussed by speculation suggesting that the Parkhead misfit could return to his old stomping ground with Nisbet heading in the other direction.
“It sounded a decent deal for Celtic but I struggled to see where the value was for Hibs,” McManus said.
“Look, if a £4million bid comes in from anywhere for the striker (Nisbet) it’s going to make them sit up and take notice. And the prospect of softening the blow with a Griffiths sweetener might suit some.
“But the two players just look like they are going in different directions right now. (Nisbet) looks like one of the most promising talents in the country and he is going places.”
Hibernian stood strong when Birmingham City made a series of offers for 24-year-old Nisbet in January.
While McManus admits that a big bid may be difficult to turn down, he believes that the penalty-box predator may be simply too expensive for Celtic.
“I can’t see Celtic spending £4m on a homegrown talent either if I’m honest,” McManus added.
“The last time they spent that cash in Scotland it was for Scott Brown and that was a million years ago. Hibs can’t afford to sell him right now anyway, with Christian Doidge out injured until Christmas.”
Nisbet may be a no-go but it is understood that Celtic are closing in on a deal for VVV Venlo hitman Giorgos Giakoumakis.
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