Kevin Nisbet has opened up on his return from long-term injury with the Hibs star admitting he performs better when putting himself under pressure.
The Easter Road striker - who performed a dramatic U-turn on a January transfer to Millwall - has hit the ground running since rejoining Lee Johnson's first team set up with eight goals in eight outings, including a hat-trick in a win over Motherwell. It's been quite the return to form after a lengthy absence and one he hopes will continue and help his chances of making the Scotland squad next month.
He picked up a knock against Ross County last time out and was forced off but it is nothing of major concern with his gaffer admitting it was the 'best case scenario' and he could return later this month in a major boost. Scotland kick off their Euro qualifying bid at the end of March with a Hampden double-header against Cyprus and Spain and Nisbet has his eyes firmly fixed on making Steve Clarke's squad.
READ MORE: Lee Johnson Hibs injury update including Kevin Nisbet and Harry McKirdy ahead of Scottish Cup break
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
He told the Scottish Sun: “I’ve been delighted with how it’s gone since I came back.
“I said before the Rangers game I’d come back a different player and I’ve shown that. Now I need to continue it. I actually like to put pressure on myself and the more I do, the better I perform. After what I said, I had to score and thankfully I did.
“It was going really well but picking up the knock at Ross County last week wasn’t great.”
On his Scotland hopes and aims, he added: “To do that I need to keep scoring for Hibs and that’s the next aim.
“I was in a few squads before I suffered the knee injury and that was bad timing for me. Now I have to look to get back in again, then push to try to get a start. The games in March are massive. It’s the start of a new campaign.
Any player wants to represent his country but to be involved in a major championship is even more special. The Euros was unbelievable and it’s something we’d love to repeat."
READ NEXT:
- Watch Ryan Porteous score on Watford debut as former Hibs star makes quality claim
- 3 things we learned as Hibs break St Mirren down in astute 1-0 Paisley win
- Hearts 3 Dundee United 1 as Jambos bounce back, Shankland nets again - 3 things we learned
- Robbie Neilson in Gary Mackay-Steven Hearts confession as he delivers Dundee United injury update
- Toby Sibbick in Hearts 'silly for me to leave' confession as he opens up on Blackpool transfer bid
