Kevin Nisbet insists he is now happy to remain at Hibs and believes he can still gatecrash Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for Euro 2020.
The striker came off the bench to claim the winner at Ross County and strengthen the Easter Road side’s grip on third place in the table.
It was the 24-year-old’s first goal since he slapped in a transfer request in January, after Birmingham had multiple bids turned down.
Asked about having to get over the disappointment of January, Nisbet said: “It wasn’t too hard, to be honest.
“It was obviously a massive opportunity for me to go but I love the club, I get on really well with the gaffer and I have a great relationship with everyone.
“As soon as the window closed it was in the past and my full focus and attitude was spot on.
“I was there for the boys, I worked hard in training and worked hard when I got on the pitch.
“For us now it’s about getting into Europe and scoring as many goals as I can for Hibs between now and the end of the season.
“One of my goals at the start of the season was to get in the Scotland squad. I am back playing and scoring. I have every chance.
“We’ll see what happens the next couple of days.”
Nisbet only moved to Hibs from Dunfermline in the summer but his rise has been spectacular, something reinforced by Birmingham tabling multi-million pound offers for him.
He said: “Of course it’s flattering when any team tries to buy you but I am happy at Hibs,.
“The club has done a lot for me, I have done a lot for the club, we have a great relationship.”
Nisbet assured boss Jack Ross he would remain committed to the Hibs’ cause after the Birmingham move was ruled out.
He said: “We had a chat and that was that, really. There was nothing more to it.
“It got portrayed as something bigger and I wasn’t too happy about that.
“The gaffer knew my attitude and my contribution to the club wouldn’t drop. Thankfully I am back scoring goals and now we are in a really good position for third.”
Despite suggestions Hibs were ready to offer Nisbet a new contract, the striker insists he’s perfectly happy with the one he’s got.
He said: “I’ve still got four years. I don’t think there’s any reason to extend it more, if I am honest.
“Everybody on the outside of football only sees two per cent of what happens and bases their opinion on that, not the 98 per cent that actually is going on.’
Nisbet hopes that now he is back among the goals after his strike in Dingwall he’ll regain his starting spot in the Hibs side.
He said: “It was a massive win and with it being our game in hand it puts a bit of distance between ourselves and Aberdeen.
“The boys were brilliant and thankfully I came on and contributed as well.
“Financially Europe is massive for the club and as players it’s exposure, a chance to challenge ourselves.
“It has been a long time since Hibs finished third so this is a massive opportunity.”
