Has impressed hoops chiefs- Celtic linked with SPFL striker deal

Kevin Nisbet is reportedly on Celtic’s transfer radar.

With Giorgos Giakoumakis on the brink of leaving the hoops the search is on for a replacement striker that will effectively understudy Kyogo Furuhashi.

Nisbet’s career looked to be in the doldrums when he left Partick Thistle for Raith Rovers in 2018 but close to a goal a game earned him a move to Dunfermline the following season where a repeat of that scoring rate convinced Hibs to spend £250,000 to take the striker to Easter Road.

Eighteen goals during the Lockdown Season earned Nisbet a place in the Scotland squad for the European Championships but last season his progress was halted through injury.

A scoring return has salvaged a few results for Lee Johnson but also put the Hibs striker in the transfer spotlight with The Sun reporting:

RED-HOT striker Kevin Nisbet is back on Celtic’s transfer radar.

SunSport can reveal the Hibs hitman’s return to goal scoring form and fitness — following nearly ten months out with injury — has impressed Hoops chiefs.

They face losing Giorgos Giakoumakis this month, and a move for South Korean forward Cho Gue-sung has stalled.

Celts were interested in Scotland cap Nisbet in 2021 before his cruciate tear and now seven goals in just six matches since his return have rekindled that interest.

The Hoops’ recruitment department are examining game-play data to ensure he is fit enough to cope with Ange Postecoglou’s high-tempo game.

Hibs look like losing Ryan Porteous this month, if Nisbet follows him out of Easter Road the Edinburgh side will be under serious pressure on the park without two top players while fans question the ambition and direction that the club is going in.

On Sunday Hibs face Hearts in the Scottish Cup.