Paul Hartley reckons Kevin Nisbet would have to consider a move to Millwall because they could soon be knocking on the door of the Premier League.
Record Sport broke the story online on Tuesday night the English Championship side had tabled an opening six figure offer for the on-form Hibs star. That first offer was turned down but the London outfit have since had a club record bid - understood be be worth £2.5million in total - accepted for the Scotland international could make the move to the New Den later today.
Hartley had a spell at Millwall under Jimmy Nicholl, and is well aware of the potential the play-off chasers have. He said: “If Kevin has the opportunity then he might want to look into it because Millwall are a good club. They are a bit of a sleeping giant. They definitely have the potential to go to the Premier League.”
The Lions have bared their teeth in the top-flight in more than 30 years but are just three points off third in the Championship. Hartley believes they’re now making real progress under Gary Rowett.
The Cove boss said: “They are a good club and Gary has done a good job there. If they were to get to that level then you would see the fanbase go up again.
“They have some support. The home support is so vocal and so loud and when things are going well then great. They have a terrific stadium and it is a really good club with a strong team. It’s something Kevin would like to look at.”
Hibs are in a difficult position as Nisbet’s in the last 18 months of his contract. The forward is unlikely to sign an Easter Road extension and so do they cash in now or wait and see if they can get a better offer? They also have to weigh up could Nisbet’s goals between now and the summer be worth more than a selling fee?
Hibs manager Lee Johnson also doesn’t want the club to be left in the same situation next January, like they are with Ryan Porteous who is now going into the final five months of his contract and could leave in the summer for nothing.
Hartley said: “We have seen the number of players who have gone from Scotland to England. A lot of players have gone to the Championship and kicked on again. Every club in Scotland is a selling club, that is for sure. Nisbet is a good player and I like him.
When a club from the English Championship comes calling then players definitely have to look at it. If players are doing well then there is always that opportunity to move to England.”
Hartley is a big fan of Nisbet and can see why there is big interest in the on-form Hibs star. He has battled bravely back from a major knee operation and has hit seven goals in seven games since his return for Hibs.
Hartley knows that Nisbet will want to keep up his form with two big Scotland games coming up in March against Cyprus and Spain. Lawrence Shankland, Ross Stewart and Nisbet all in form and looking to take Che Adams’ and Lyndon Dykes’ shirts.
He said: “Kevin has been through his problems but looks over them and will want to push back on to the international stage again.”
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