Kevin Nisbet looks to make Aberdeen FC fans forget Bojan Miovski and sets Premiership Golden Boot target
The exit of Miovski has left a 26-goal sized void at Pittodrie
Kevin Nisbet has set his sights not only on out-gunning Bojan Miovski but also finishing as the Premiership’s top scorer.
The Scotland international got up and running as he opened his Pittodrie account with his dramatic injury-time winner against Ross County last time out. The striker has moved to the Dons on loan from Millwall and is confident Jimmy Thelin’s side is the perfect fit for him. He also believes he can fill the void left by the 26-goal departure of Miovski and get back fighting to be Scotland’s top marksman.
Nisbet, when asked if he can be the Premiership’s top scorer, confidently said: “I think so. I will see where I am at Christmas and then I will set my targets from there. Once you get that goal, it starts you off. I feel I can go on and get two, three and won’t stop.”
The 27-year-old has the confidence he can score goals in the Premiership and proved it in his previous spell at Hibs, where he forced his way into the international picture. Nisbet said: “If you don’t think you can do that then you are not really a striker, if I am being honest.
“It is all about scoring goals.You can be rubbish for 89 minutes and then score the winner and you are the best player on the park. I back myself to go and score goals, be the top goalscorer and to break records. You need a bit of confidence as a striker and I have that in abundance.”
Nisbet made his debut against Kilmarnock, netted against County and then in last week’s testimonial against Cove. He feels the way Aberdeen play under Thelin will give him plenty of ammunition.
The new Dons boy said: “The football didn’t really suit the way I play at my old club and so I didn’t get a lot of chances. It is about me getting back, getting chances and scoring goals when I can.”
Nisbet has slotted seamlessly into Thelin’s group and he admitted he did his homework on the Swede, even going back to his time at Elfsborg, before he decided to join the Dons. “I watched some stuff on YouTube,” Nisbet said. That is where I could see his style would suit me to a tee. I can come short or link and spin.
“As a striker, though, it is all about being in the box and scoring. That is the strongest part of my game, getting between the sticks and sniffing out chances and scoring. I watched a good few videos and I thought Aberdeen is the place I want to be, playing under him.”
Nisbet came back to Scotland to get a run of games and to get going after an injury-hit spell at Millwall. It was a frustrating time and no more so than missing this summer’s Euros because he was just returning from injury. Nisbet said: “Even last season, I did start well.
“I got a run of games and then got a small injury. I wasn’t out for long but then I was back out after injury. It was up and down and then I picked up the big injury, so it was a bit frustrating. I just need to stay injury-free because I know if I do that I will play well and score goals.”
He wasn’t helped by managerial uncertainty at the New Den. Nisbet said: “I had four managers if you include the interim ones. It was totally different styles of play. Every time a gaffer came in I was always injured as well.”