Hibs’ hat-trick hero Kevin Nibet was delighted to get off the mark in yesterday’s comprehensive victory over Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena but he was also pleased that his striking partner Christan Doidge manager to get his name on the scoresheet as well.
Nisbet was in the starting XI for last week’s opening game against Kilmarnock and within four minutes set up Martin Boyle for the opener. After that contribution however he had a relatively quiet game but yesterday he showed the fans watching on Hibs TV what he is capable of.
His first was a real poachers goal, tapping the ball into the net from close range after good work from Daryl Horgan on the left wing. His second was a well-taken header from another Horgan cross after getting between two central defenders.
He also had a hand on Doidge’s goal before he capped the day off with a penalty after Marvin Bartley had fouled Melker Hallberg.
The partnership bodes well for the rest of the season with youngster Jamie Gullan waiting in the wings for an opportunity.
After the game Nisbet said: “It’s great to get a hat-trick and get off the mark. I got most of the boys to sign the ball for me. It’s brilliant for me to get that hat-trick. To get early goals is vital for a striker in the first couple of games.
“I’ve got three now, and it’s a good marker to go on for the rest of the season. It’s the best possible start. We’ve scored six goals in two games and got six points, brilliant.
“The way we started was really good, and it was great to get off the mark and for Christian (Doidge) as well. It’s great that both strikers are scoring, and we can take confidence into Tuesday’s game against Dundee United.
“Big Christian can complement my game well. He’s great in the air, he gets a lot of flick-ons and he’s experienced as well. I think we worked well together, and we can be a good partnership going forward.
“I back myself, I’m confident in my ability and what I can bring to the team. It’s just about hitting ten goals and then going from there and getting as many goals as I can, but the most important thing is helping the team off the ball and on the ball scoring goals and getting assists.
“Daryl Horgan did brilliantly for the first goal and put it on a plate for me. I think I can feed off that this season. The game-plan was to get a lot of crosses in and Daryl did that, and thankfully I got on the end to put them away.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
