MX23RW : Friday, November 8 03:10:43| >> :120:33749:33749:

Kevin Nisbet determined to stake Euro 2020 claim

Kevin Nisbet determined to stake Euro 2020 claim
© Reuters
The 24-year-old Hibernian attacker scored 18 goals in his impressive debut season at Easter Road.

Kevin Nisbet is gunning for his first Scotland goal and hopes to get the chance in their two pre-Euro 2020 friendlies.

Steve Clarke's squad are in La Finca, Spain for the first part of their build-up to the delayed European Championships where they will play Czech Republic, England and Croatia in the group stages.

The Scots will first take on Holland in Portugal next Wednesday before an away friendly against Luxembourg on June 6.

Nisbet first got a taste of international football when he made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over the Faroe Islands at Hampden Park in March and the 24-year-old Hibernian attacker, who scored 18 goals in his impressive debut season at Easter Road, is keen to make his mark in dark blue.

"I just want to get my first Scotland goal as quick as possible," said Nisbet, who is ostensibly behind Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes in the pecking order.

"For any striker, you always look to get your first goal very quick and hopefully I can get that in the friendlies and take that into the Euros.

"Of course, the friendlies before the tournament is always a chance to impress, whenever I get on the park and for how long I get on the park.

"I really want to go out there and impress and keep impressing in training.

"When I was involved in the last camp it gave me that bit between my teeth to get back here and I did get back so I am absolutely delighted to be involved and I can't wait to keep training.

"Training is going to be intense up until the Euros starts. Everyone is battling for places just now."

Nisbet moved to Easter Road from Dunfermline last summer and while seamlessly making the transition from the Championship to the Premiership, he acknowledged the increase in standard to international football.

However, the Hibs hit-man is nothing if not confident.

"It is massive but I always back myself to go and make that jump," he said.

"I have settled in well and even in the last camp, I thought I impressed. So it has been good and I will make that jump."

Nisbet teamed up with the Scotland squad after finishing the season on the losing side to St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.

While admitting the pain of defeat with Hibs, he is now focused on Scotland.

He said: "Last week was very disappointing, really gutting for me, the club and everyone involved with the club but it is done now, there is nothing we can do about it so it is just about getting my Scotland head on and trying to impress.

"I am still a bit gutted but I am with Scotland now and Scotland is my priority now and we are looking forward to the Euros."

ID:449540: cacheID:449540:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5648:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Scotland's Declan Gallagher pictured in October 2020
Read Next:
Tosh McKinlay: 'Declan Gallagher has nothing to fear with Scotland'
>
Read more about Kevin Nisbet Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Bengals
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!