Christian Doidge insists former Hibs boss John Collins was wrong to brand his strike partner Kevin Nisbet lazy.
Easter Road hitman Doidge was astonished to learn that Collins, while praising Nisbet’s finishing, insisted the Scotland international didn’t work hard enough without the ball.
Doidge, who will lead the Hibs line against Dundee United in Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi-final, hit back in defence of his clubmate.
He said: “I definitely think that’s harsh.
“Kev’s been great for us this season.
“You just need to look at the stats after the game in terms of high-speed running and just how far Kevin has run around the pitch.
“He is up there with the majority of the lads.
“He’s definitely not someone who slacks or
is lazy.
“He works extremely hard for the team and he has created a lot of chances for himself from his work ethic.
“He wouldn’t have had the amount of goals he has had this season without that in his game.
“He has been great to play with this season.
“We have played up front a lot this year and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
“He has created a lot of chances for me. I have created a lot of chances for him. He’s a great guy as well. He wouldn’t be in the Scottish set-up if he didn’t have that work ethic.
“I know that’s what the manager at national level wants.”
Collins had insisted Nisbet had to be more selfless in his work.
He said: “Kevin has proved in his first season in the Premiership that he is a good finisher, but he’s got to work at being more generous to his team-mates when he doesn’t have the ball.
“If I can give him one piece of advice, that he’s got to add to his game by working harder for the team without possession.
“Nisbet has scored all types of goals – right foot, left foot, headers. He has proved to everyone he is a finisher, but he needs to work harder for the team.”
