ONE may think that Kevin Nisbet’s career turnaround, from being released by Partick Thistle a few years ago to being tipped for a spot in Scotland’s squad for the European Championship by deign of his performances for the third best side in the country, wouldn’t have come about without some element of hard work on his part.
Earlier this week though, John Collins opined that the Hibernian frontman – as good a finisher as he may be – needs to work harder for his team when they are not in possession.
As one of his partners in the Hibs attack though, Christian Doidge rates himself as being in a better position to judge that than the former Easter Road midfielder, and he has put up a staunch defence of a man he has helped to an impressive tally of 17 goals so far this season.
“I definitely think that’s harsh,” said Doidge. “He has been great for us this season.
“You just need to look at the stats after the game in terms of high-speed running and how far he has run around the pitch. He is up there with the majority of the lads.
“He’s definitely not someone who slacks or is lazy. He works extremely hard for the team. He has created a lot of chances for himself from his work ethic. He wouldn’t have had the amount of goals he has had this season without that.
“He has been great to play with this season. We have played up front a lot this year and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. He has created a lot of chances for me. I have created a lot of chances for him.
“He’s great guy as well. He wouldn’t be in the Scottish set-up if he didn’t have that work ethic. I know that’s what the manager at national level wants.”
Along with Martin Boyle, Doidge and Nisbet have terrorised Premiership defences this season at times, even if one of them has dropped out of the line-up on occasion.
Stopping whichever combination of the trio Jack Ross sends out will no doubt be high on Micky Mellon’s agenda as he sets up his Dundee United side for today’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
“Boyley playing out wide has that electric pace that can cause havoc for any defender in the league,” said Doidge. “He has been outstanding this year.
“It’s Kev’s first year in the Scottish Premiership. No-one really knew how he was going to handle it. Would he come in straight away and score a hatful of goals? Kev has got that instinct in front of goal, with the low backlift. He can score from any kind of angle.
“I’m just here to support those lads and try to get a few goals myself."
As well as leaping to the defence of Nisbet this week, Doidge has also explained his puzzlement at the absence of manager Ross’s absence from the Scottish Football Writer’s Association shortlist for manager of the year.
“I saw that pop up on Twitter and I was a bit baffled by that,” he said. “He has been fantastic.
“When you think where we were last season, and what we have done this year - we are close to breaking a lot of records for the football club.
“He has given debuts to lads like Josh Doig, he has brought in Nizzy, who has done fantastic this year.
“I think we have been quite a good team to watch. So it was very strange but I don’t think it’s something he really looks at too much. He just fully focuses on Hibs and getting third and trying to win a cup.”
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