Sheffield United 'target' ignoring speculation - But who is Kevin Nisbet, the free-scoring Hibernian man also interesting Sunderland?

Nosbet joined Hibs in the summer from Dunfermline and has set about repaying his £250,000 transfer fee with 12 goals in 26 appearances.

That record has caught the eye of clubs in England, with United reportedly keeping tabs.

But Nisbet, formerly of Raith Rovers, insisted: "I've had it [transfer speculation] the last two seasons and I don't take much notice.

"When the window opens and there's a striker scoring goals and performing well, there's obviously going to be interest. It's flattering but I just ignore it all."

The lowdown

Nisbet's career was not an instant success. It began in Partick Thistle's youth academy, with loan moves to Ayr United and Dumbarton thrown in. After just five senior goals scored, he was released.

A second chance arrived from Raith, and Nisbet grasped it with both hands. He scored 29 times in 34 games, earning the move to local rivals Dunfermline before Hibs signed him last summer.

Who else is interested?

Sunderland have also been linked with the Glaswegian striker, but Hibs boss Jack Ross - a former manager of the Black Cats - isn't keen to do his old side a favour.

The striker is under contract until 2024, so he won't be prised away from Hibs on the cheap.

“It goes with the territory when you are having a good season, you accept teams looking at your players,” Ross said recently. “I would be amazed if people don’t look.

“But I wouldn’t want to lose him, full stop, and I would expect that, for those in senior management, it would need to be something that would turn their heads because we have to balance it out with what he has contributed and the value he gives us on the pitch. The goals he has scored, the level of performances.

"There may come a time in the future when the club has a decision to make. For the moment I don’t think we want to disrupt what we have, but strengthen it.”

What about the player?

Nisbet, if his words to the media are to believed, is content to keep his head down, keep scoring goals and hopefully force his way into Steve Clarke's plans for the Euros this summer.

"One of my targets at the start of the season was to get a call-up, so I think I have a good chance," he said.

"I just have to keep playing well and scoring goals to put that thought into Steve Clarke's head for the Euros and the next international break."

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