By David Buick and Ben Banks
He might not have the Scotland caps to show for it- but Ryan Dow insists Dunfermline teammate Kevin Nisbet is every bit as good as Scotland international and Dundee United hitman Lawrence Shankland.
Both Dow and the lethal striker were on top of their game against Dundee as the Pars halted a five-game losing streak. Their goals helped secure a 2-0 win for Stevie Crawford.
Big result for the Pars boss. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It’s a result that puts the East End Park side outside the promotion play-offs by a singular point. With 21 goals in 28 games in all competitions, Nisbet’s part of the reason for that.
Dow is hoping Dunfermline can keep a hold of him this window as the Pars look to climb the table: “I seem to enjoy playing against Dundee! I thought we were different class.
“I think someone said they didn’t even have a shot on target. That’s us a point behind Dundee now and when you think about the run we’ve been on, it’s frustrating. You can think where we could have been.
Slight frustrations. (Photo by Robbie Boyd)
“It’s just one of these things. I think it was just getting back to basics. We know we’re good on the counter-attack and I thought it worked brilliantly tonight.
“Kevin is brilliant, he is a great player. When he first came in you saw the quality straight away. With his running ability – he is so powerful and quick and he showed that with his goal.
“He is right up there with the best striker in the league for me. I think he’s got everything; he can hold the ball up, he can run in behind, scores all types of goals. He is different class.
Dow has hailed Dunfermline hitman Nisbet. (Photo by Robbie Boyd)
“I hope there is no interest. From a selfish point of view, I hope he stays here until at least the summer but I’m sure clubs will be sniffing about with his goals return. But it’s not just that, it’s his overall threat.
“I’m sure we’ll try and hold on to him until the summer.”