After failing in a bid to persuade Cho Gue-sung to swap South Korea for Celtic Park, it’s perhaps no surprise the champions have pivoted to Kevin Nisbet as a potential Giorgos Giakoumakis replacement.
The Greek striker seems to have made a scoring farewell to Celtic after netting the clincher in their Viaplay Cup semi-final victory over Kilmarnock. Contract talks with the Greek striker broke down, who is seeking more regular game time after playing second fiddle to Kyogo Furuhashi under Ange Postecoglou this season. Gue-sung is set to remain in his homeland despite bids from Mainz and Celtic, so firepower is being sought closer to home.
Nisbet has been on fire since returning to the Hibs team after 10 months out with a cruciate ligament injury, suffered against Celtic last February after a challenge from Carl Starfelt. He’s netted seven goals in six games, including a match winning hat-trick away to Motherwell as the former Dunfermline striker offered Lee Johnson a lifeline with the Hibees struggling to put wins together.
It was Nisbet to the rescue on Saturday once again. He levelled things up at home to Dundee United after Glenn Middleton’s owner, and struck deep into stoppage time to salvage a point and deny the visitors all three following Ian Harkes’ deflected second for the Tangerines.
Johnson has let Momodou Bojang go and shipped out Elias Melkerseon to Sparta Rotterdam on loan. With Martin Boyle out for the season and only Elie Youann as back up, Nisbet is carrying the Easter Road club’s attacking hopes on his shoulders.
The burden of replacing him would likely mean any offer from Glasgow would have been too big to turn down. With a crucial Scottish Cup fourth round clash at home to Hearts this weekend and Ryan Porteous the subject of a bid from Blackburn Rovers, fans will at least be desperate see Nisbet stay with the club this week, never mind until the end of the month.
But Celtic’s interest is based on more than Nisbet simply being flavour of the month. He’s proven before he’s the man for big games, as Celtic and rivals Rangers have found to their cost. Record Sport takes a look at the frontman's big game credentials and how he compares to Giakoumakis.
Record against Celtic
Nisbet has faced the Hoops nine times in his career. He’s yet to come out on the winning side, but he won’t be alone in that regard. Three of those matches have ended in draws, and Nisbet played a major part in earning one of those points in Glasgow’s East End. A late, late strike at Parkhead in January 2021 helped put more pressure on Neil Lennon during his final season in charge.
That came after Nisbet missed a penalty before finding the in a 2-2 draw at Easter Road previously. On that occasion however, it was the Hoops who hit back late on to claim a share of the spoils.
Record against Rangers
Perhaps even more relevant to Celtic is how Nisbet has fared against their rivals. He has three goals in 10 appearances against the Ibrox club. Nisbet fired Hibs back into the game at Ibrox back in April 2021, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent goals giving Gers maximum points. He was on target in Govan again almost a year later as he gave Hibs an early lead in March 2021.
However, he was on the end of the same result after a Porteous red card inspired a Rangers comeback. Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos turned things around after the break.
His habit of scoring at Ibrox continued this season. In a whirlwind start to Michael Beale’s first match in charge of the Light Blues, Porteous headed Hibs in front before Fashion Sakala restored parity.
Virtually from kick-off however, they were behind again thanks to Nisbet. He latched on to a deflected pass before lashing the ball high into the net, bagging his first goal since making his return to action after injury. He ended up on the wrong end of a 3-2 defeat, but has now established himself as a thorn in Rangers’ side.
Giakoumakis comparison
Nisbet and Giakoumakis are different types of strikers. The Greek offers more of a physical presence, but there’s evidence to suggest Nisbet can indeed slot into Postecoglou’s team.
Nisbet’s seven goals in six matches compares well to Giakoumakis’ nine in 29, although he’s averaged just 49 minutes of playing time per 90 this campaign. Put Nisbet in a Celtic team creating plenty of chances, and expect to see his goal rate improve on its already impressive level. His current xG is 0.62, with Giakoumakis’ 0.48.
In terms of assists, Nisbet comes out on top, with 0.17 per game compared to Giakoumakis' 0.03. The Scot trumps him on shots per game as well, with three per match against Giakoumakis’ 1.97, although that is skewed by Nisbet’s relative lack of action due to injury.
Nisbet is averaging more aerial challenges as well, with 4.3 per game. Giakoumakis has 4.2, but is successful with 41 per cent of them compared to Nisbet’s 23 per cent.
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