Kevin Nisbet has broken his silence on the decision to knock back what he admits was a “life-changing” move to Millwall in January - and admitted he didn’t feel ready.
The Hibs striker performed a shock u-turn at the 11th hour as he visited the London club after terms had been agreed. Four months on he has told of the overwhelming feeling that the timing wasn’t right coming so soon after his return from an ACL rupture. Nisbet is now expected to leave Leith in the summer and accepts tomorrow night’s clash against Celtic – in what will be his 100th appearance for the club – could well be his last at Easter Road.
But he insists there’s no regrets over his Lions snub four months ago after Hibs had agreed an offer in excess of £2.3m. The Scotland international has a year left on his deal and struck 10 goals in 18 appearances since returning to action in December after nine months out with the knee injury. Millwall are set to return to the table with Blackburn and Bristol City also interested in the 26-year-old who has never been far from links with Rangers and Celtic. But Nisbet says he will only move when he feels the time is right as he opened up on the collapse of his move to the Championship.
He said: “Football’s a short career and you have to make important decisions. It’s life-changing money but for me just to come back from a major injury it was just about a feeling that I wanted to stay here til the end of the season or further.
“Sometimes you just get a feeling it’s not the right time to go. Maybe it was too soon after the ACL and I just wanted to get settled a bit more before I go.
"If I go this summer, or January or next summer it’s about feeling settled. I made the right decision. I’ve come back in, played well, scored goals and put myself in the shop window for the Scotland team aswell.
“It was the right decision and we just need to see what happens from here. It was more down to me and how I was feeling at the time. Millwall understood that. It was about me getting that feeling that I want to come back here, keep playing and get my match sharpness and fitness again. I’ve got that now and delighted.”
With his future uncertain Nisbet admits he’d love to finish the season with a bang against Celtic and the derby at Tynecastle on Saturday. Two wins would guarantee European football and could see them jump above their capital rivals.
Nisbet’s 10th goal of the season proved to be the winner the last time the Edinburgh neighbours went head to head. And should he nudge closer to 15 he knows it would help Hibs’ Euro quest as well as cement his relationship with the Hibees support - something he acknowledges wasn’t always rock solid.
Asked if he’d contemplated tonight being his last appearance at Easter Road, Nisbet said: “It could be. Whether it (leaving) happens now, in January or next summer I want to be on good terms with the club and the fans.
“I think I am now. Obviously there were times when I wasn’t, when I didn’t have that connection or it was a bit up and down.
“Now I’ve got that really good connection with the club and the fans. If Celtic is the last home game then I want to put a really good performance in.
“Obviously the derby goal helps. It was a long time without beating Hearts and you’ve got the fans singing Sunshine On Leith, it was a great experience. That brings me and the fans closer as well.
“We’re really looking forward to the Celtic game. It’s all about getting three points and trying to take it down to the final day.
“It’s a lot of money for the club as well so it’s up to us to put ourselves in that position and get a bit of luck for other results to go our way. If they do we will be more than confident going into Saturday that we can go and win the game.”
