Birmingham City boss Aitor Karanka says the club will continue to pursue Hibernian forward Kevin Nisbet even if they complete an expected move for Aberdeen’s Sam Cosgrove - as he gave an ominous warning the Blues were not the only side in for the Easter Road favourite.
Jack Ross benched Nisbet and fellow in-demand star Ryan Porteous for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice as Hibs closed the gap on the Dons’ in third.
Birmingham meanwhile stuttered to a 1-1 draw at home to St Andrew’s tenants Coventry City, with Cosgrove - whose £2 million transfer to the club is likely to be announced on Monday - watching on from the stands.
The Easter Road side now face a decision on whether to cash in on the 13-goal forward - who joined from Championship side Dunfermline in the summer.
Nisbet is not understood to be desperate to leave Leith, where he has fired himself into contention for a Scotland call up.
Ross said he made a “judgement call” to leave the pair out for the win over United courtesy of goals from Darren McGregor and Martin Boyle due to intense speculation over their futures in recent days.
But Karanka has not been deterred in his pursuit of the forward and could return with an improved deadline day offer.
And in a comment that could worry the Easter Road faithful, he admitted Birmingham are now facing competition for his signature.
“Maybe we can bring another one or another two, it depends on how much the CEO loans me,” the former Real Madrid defender told his post-match press conference.
“He [Nisbet] is another player who is scoring goals and I think like us there are a lot of teams interested but he is not with us.
“Let’s see what is happening.”
Hibs reportedly identified Liam Lindsay as a contingency plan should Millwall act on their reported interest in Porteous, but Ross may have to move quickly if he wants to secure the defender amid rumours Swindon Town want to take the player on loan.
The former Partick Thistle defender is high on Hibs’ wanted list, with a loan deal including an option to buy being considered.
