Kevin Nisbet has been backed to use his Scotland frustration to make sure Steve Clarke can’t overlook him in future.
The 26-year-old was told last week he was in the provisional squad for the Euro qualifying openers against Cyprus and Spain after hitting eight goals in nine starts since returning from an ACL injury in December. But with QPR’s Lyndon Dykes available again Nisbet, who has one goal from 10 caps for his country, missed out on the cut for the Hampden double header.
And Hibs assistant Jamie McAllister is adamant he'll fire his way back into the national set-up. He said: “Yeah (he’s disappointed). We'd heard that he was in their thinking. We got an email saying that he was being considered but that was last week. Nizzy was on a hot streak during December/January when he scored the six in six. He had a little setback with not getting the move and then he's had a few little tweaks. We need to make sure he is right, but I think that will come. Nizzy has got the quality. He is clinical. He's experienced for his age, he's proven at the level.
“He'll get that opportunity again. He'll definitely get it again.”
Hibs are ready to welcome Jake Doyle-Hayes back from injury against Celtic on Saturday, the midfielder having not started a game since August. Meanwhile Aiden McGeady has gone under the knife to sort a hamstring injury that’s ended his season.
But McAllister is confident the winger’s career isn’t also over. The Hibs assistant reckons the 36-year-old has the hunger to make another return after previously fighting back from an ACL tear. And in the meantime he still has a role to play at Easter Road dressing room.
McAllister said: “He got his operation and hopefully it’s all gone well. It’ll be a few months. We will help him with his rehab and use his experience aswell - tap into that because he’s played against big teams and big players.
"Yeah he has [the motivation to come back]. He loves playing football, he's 36 now but when you see him on the training pitch, with the ball at his feet he's still got that quality, turn of pace, the little stepover and drag ... he can beat anyone on his day.
“He's not lost that five five yards. He can go past anyone, he's still got that at this age, which is rare.”
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