Kevin Nisbet has been praised by managers both past and present after the Hibs striker’s call-up to the Scotland national team this week.
The forward has received the maiden inclusion ahead of World Cup qualifying next week after form at Hibs this season, which almost earned him a move to Birmingham City in the winter transfer window. He moved to Easter Road from Dunfermline last summer for six figures, Pars boss Crawford delighted for him.
Dunfermline manager Crawford is pleased for Kevin Nisbet. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group via Getty Images)
He said: “Like everybody, we want Scotland to win as many games as possible, and he’ll have our full support. Any player that you’ve worked with, and Kevin had a successful period with us last year, it’s great to see them in the Scotland squad.
“I know that he is no longer our player but I would like to wish him all the very best. Whether he gets minutes on the pitch, that will be the next thing in Kevin’s career. In Kevin’s development, he’s worked with a lot of good people and we’ve played a part in that.
“But to get the opportunity now to go into the international set-up, he’ll see it as another challenge yet again. We didn’t want to lose Kevin in the summer but, realistically, there was an offer put on the table and we’ve always said we don’t want to stand in a player’s way if they feel it’s the right opportunity and it’s right for the club.
Moved on to Hibs. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
“I think it’s been a win-win. On the back of losing Kevin we’ve also managed to sign some very good players. So, people can see it as an opportunity and I’m sure they will in the future want to sign for the club on the back of something like this. If you’re going to lose your players you want to see them going to the highest level possible and it’s great that Kevin has done that.
“I’d like to hope when you look at the work we’ve done in the previous transfer windows now, that can be an attraction for players wanting to come and play for Dunfermline Football Club. That will help us.”
Ross says it’s reward for all the hard work his striker has put in this season: “Kevin was someone I really wanted to bring to Hibernian and I’m grateful for the support I had within the club in terms of making that happen.
Delighted to get Kevin Nisbet. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
“I thought he had the all-round qualities to become a really good player and I’ve thought that since I first tried to sign him on loan for Alloa when he was at Partick Thistle. There’s a lot more to him than simply scoring goals. He’s a good footballer and the exciting thing for me is that he’s still got areas to improve in, like any player.
“The best is yet to come. There are plenty of challenging moments as a manager, so you have to enjoy the good times. So, it was a pleasure to be able to sit down and break the news to Kevin about his Scotland call-up, because he’s earned it.
“It made me think about the first conversation we had about him coming here. The challenge and the opportunity was for Kevin to help us compete for trophies, qualify for European football and win a place in the Scotland squad. He’s had a good go at that in the space of his first few months at Easter Road.”
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