In a recent interview (as quoted by the Daily Record), Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has played it coy when asked about the Kevin Nisbet rumours.
“I ain’t quashing, or denying or confirming, y’know. I prefer to talk about the ones we have done, there is still some work we’re doing off the field, hopefully we will be able to make some announcements in the next few days.”
Reports resurfaced on Saturday following broadcaster Peter Martin’s claim of a potential Leigh Griffiths plus cash offer for the Hibernian hitman.
Griffiths is pushing hard to impress the gaffer in the training pitch, however, the arrival of Kyogo Furuhashi has jeopardized his future high up the pitch. The Japanese ace has been majestic in front of goal and the veteran Scotsman, therefore, has slipped further down the pecking order with Odsonne Edouard and Albian Ajeti getting minutes week in week out.
Edouard, however, might part ways for a fresh challenge before the window is slammed shut in less than a couple of weeks’ time. Ajeti is only good as a squad option and the Hoops must rope in a prolific ‘number 9’ if the Frenchman plies his trade elsewhere. Griffiths has been a shadow of his earlier self in recent years and a return to Hibs should help him rediscover the lost charm.
The Rise Of Nisbet And Why Celtic Must Pursue A Deal
Nisbet’s rise to fame is no less than a fairy tale. He was playing in the third tier with Raith Rovers three years ago and a 29-goal campaign earned him a move to Championship outfit Dunfermline Athletic back in the summer of 2019. There he continued his exquisite scoring form thus grabbing the attention of Hibernian a year later. The Scot took little time to settle in Edinburgh and fired in 14 goals in 33 league outings during the 2020-21 season. His performance was impressive enough to earn a place in Scotland’s EURO 2020 squad and manager Steve Clarke fielded him as a substitute in each of Scotland’s three group stage fixtures.
The 24-year-old found the net last weekend in their League Cup win against Kilmarnock. He has also scored one in their UEFA Europa Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round victory against FC Santa Coloma and is expected to surpass the 18-goal tally achieved last season across competitions. A transfer to Parkhead would see him challenge and cover Furuhashi in the attacking third and help Celtic deal with Edouard’s absence in the long run.
