Kevin Nisbet fancied taking Hibs' penalty against Hamilton but decision was made for him after misses

Kevin Nisbet had to watch as Martin Boyle got Hibs off the mark against Hamilton on Saturday.
Hibs' Martin Boyle converts from the penalty spot as the Leith side comfortably defeat Hamilton. Photo by Rob Casey / SNS GroupHibs' Martin Boyle converts from the penalty spot as the Leith side comfortably defeat Hamilton. Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group
Hibs' Martin Boyle converts from the penalty spot as the Leith side comfortably defeat Hamilton. Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group

Just 10 minutes into a game they had long-since taken control of, the Easter Road side were awarded a penalty after Charlie Trafford shoved Ryan Porteous. But, while Nisbet had been the man charged with converting those opportunities in the past, two successive misses, against Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi final, which cost them dearly, and then another against Celtic, had robbed him of that responsibility.

Although Boyle took over from the team’s top scorer, Nisbet was still able to play his part, weighing in with the fourth goal of the afternoon, as Hibs cruised to victory and booked a short-term stay in second spot.

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“It was important we started the game well,“ said the 23-year-old summer signing. “We got the penalty which got us off to a flier and we just took it from there.”

The former Dunfermline man admits he had wanted to take the penalty but said the decision had been taken out of his hands.

“I did [fancy it] but Boyley was on it so I’m happy for him to get another goal. “

But there had been some discussion on the subject, he conceded. “A wee bit, aye! But missing two penalties I was happy to let one of the other boys take it and Boyley stepped up and scored. He has given me a wee bit of stick in the dressing room already but I’m just happy with the win.”

The result was one thing but, after a questionable spell, it was also the level of performance that pleased the Hibs contingent. Assured at the back, they determined play in the middle of the park, while the attacking options ensured Hamilton endured an uncomfortable afternoon.

Tweaking the shape, Jack Ross played Joe Newell and Melker Hallberg in front of the back four and on-field captain Paul Hanlon was superb in organising the side and passing out from the back. The backline looked as solid as it has in several weeks.

The duo ahead of them were also in quality form, allowing the front four to go at their hosts, carving out so many openings that Hamilton can feel themselves fortunate that they did not concede more than four goals.

Boyle, Nisbet and Drey Wright played in behind frontman Christian Doidge and they worked hard and combined well.

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Doidge got the second of the day, heading home a Wright cross in the 39th minute and then a flowing team goal made it three. Swashbuckling movement and slick passing allowed them to quickly turn defence into attack and it was full-back Paul McGinn, who supplied the finish.

That was in the 64th minute and when Nisbet added the fourth just minute later, the scoreline bagan to reflect Hibs’ superiority

“We dominated the game and Melker and Joe absolutely ran the show and created space for us to go and attack and go and win the game,” said Nisbet, who was also content to drop off his usual strike partner Doidge.

“I have played there before and when we play two up top I always come short anyway so it is nothing really too new to me. I felt comfortable and thought I put a good performance in.”

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