Hibs star becomes first non-Celtic or Rangers player to win Player of Month award this season

Kevin Nisbet has been voted cinch SPFL Premiership Player of the Month for January after returning to the goal trail after long-term injury.

Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet with his cinch Premiership Player of the Month award.

The Hibs and Scotland striker hit six goals in the month, including a hat-trick against Motherwell at Fir Park and a double in the 2-2 draw with Dundee United.

He completed his tally by coming off the bench to score within five minutes in the 6-0 win over Aberdeen at Easter Road. Nisbet is the first non-Old Firm player to win the Premiership monthly award this season.

"I am delighted, especially considering I have been out for a long time with a bad injury. To bounce back and get the award in my first full month coming back is great," he said.

"I have kept myself very professional, throughout my time out with injury. I have worked hard to get back fit and I think that has shown with the way I have come back and scored goals and help the team.

"It has been a long time coming since I last scored a hat-trick, so to get one so quickly after an injury was great. They were big goals as well, and got us an important three points – so we were all delighted.

"We are in a really good position now to go and finish in the top four, so we just need to keep picking up results and for me, I am focused on scoring more goals."

Previous winners of the monthly prize this season are: August – Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic), September – Antonio Čolak (Rangers); November – Sead Hakšabanović (Celtic), December – Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic).