Kevin Nisbet did exactly what was asked of him - score goals.
The on-loan Millwall striker struck twice late on to rescue a crucial point for Aberdeen in a pulsating 2-2 draw against Dundee United at Pittodrie on Sunday.
With the Dons trailing 2-0 heading into the final quarter and struggling to really test Jack Walton in the visitors’ goal, Nisbet produced a moment of brilliance in the 75th minute, rifling home from the edge of the box.
Then, as the clock ticked into stoppage time, he showed his poacher’s instinct to fire home the equaliser, ensuring Aberdeen remain firmly in the battle for third place in the Scottish Premiership.
His recent resurgence in front of goal - four in his last five games - is unlikely to have gone unnoticed.
With Scotland facing a huge UEFA Nations League play-off double-header against Greece later this month, and Lyndon Dykes sidelined, Nisbet’s form could put him back in Steve Clarke’s thoughts for a national team recall.
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Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin revealed that Nisbet’s transformation - from a struggling frontman to a more confident striker - has been driven by sheer determination and relentless extra training at Cormack Park, even on his days off.
Nisbet could be seen dropping deep to contribute in the build up to Aberdeen's attacks during their recent clash, highlighting that he does have more of an all-round game than he's shown the Red Army since arriving in the Granite City last summer.
“Kevin has worked hard in the gym and on the training pitch,” Thelin told reporters after the Dundee United draw.
“He is doing extra on days off. Kevin is pushing harder and is trying to get more and more sharper.
“When a player is pushing so hard to get better it is really nice to see that pay off on the pitch. You can see his development since arriving and there is a lot of hard work behind that.
“That mentality is shown by Kevin on the training pitch and he’s getting the results in games from that.
“I can see the work he has put in to get that form on the pitch and I’m really proud of his journey.
“The goals are one thing but he is also contributing in build-ups and working hard over the pitch. It is good to see how connected Kevin is with the team.
“I’m happy with what he is showing right now. Kevin has a quality and calmness inside the box.
“It is always good to have him in the box when the ball arrives in there. However, we want everyone to contribute goals.”
His overall contribution of nine goals and four assists in 26 appearances this season underlines his importance to Aberdeen’s push for the much-coveted European qualification spots.
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Reflecting on his Aberdeen brace, the former Hibernian star said: “The first one I saw late, Oday Dabbagh did well to leave it because it was a great ball in from Alexander Jensen.
“The second one, I just threw myself at it and got lucky that it hit my calf then went in. That’s probably the luck I haven’t been having this season so it’s good to be on the scoresheet.
“I feel great, I feel fit and able to compete for ninety minutes now.
“I don’t feel leggy so I feel I can keep going, it’s great to get on the scoresheet again and hopefully I can go on a run now.”
Now, with a place in Scotland’s upcoming squad potentially up for grabs, Nisbet has done what every striker needs to over the past few weeks - let his goals ultimately do the talking.
