Kevin Nisbet reveals 'put wrongs right' incentive as Hibs striker eyes swift return to Hampden

Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet says the pain of the club’s recent Scottish Cup defeat is still fresh enough in the memory to serve as a powerful incentive.

Hibs Kevin Nisbet reacts to missing a penalty in extra time during the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Hearts. Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group

The Easter Road side travel to Alloa on Tuesday night in the quarter-final of the Betfred Cup and, with silverware still very much part of their plans for the season, they know it is a wonderful opportunity to book a swift Hampden return and give themselves an early chance to make up for their capital derby take down.

“It is a massive game for us and a chance for us to get to another semi-final and put a few wrongs right,” said Nisbet, who notably missed a pivotal penalty in the semi final loss to Hearts. “It all starts on Tuesday and I am sure it will be a difficult game.

“We are really hurting from the last semi-final but we have had to put that behind us and we showed we are a really good team by bouncing back and by our position in the league.”

Jack Ross’ men were sitting second by the end of play on Saturday night and although Celtic made the most of one of their games in hand to leapfrog them and push them back down to third on Sunday, the capital side have taken confidence from their Premiership maneuverings.

But there remains an element of caution as they prepare to face the team who ousted Hearts in the previous round of the Betfred Cup.

“Cup games are cup games and anything can happen. We just want to work hard and try to win it but first of all we need to deal with Alloa on Tuesday and try to get to the semi-final.

“They are a really good team,” added the former Dunfermline man, whose Championship experience offers him extra insight. “I played against them last year as well so I know all about them. They move the ball really well on their pitch so it will be a tough game for us but we need to go there and put in the same kind of performance that we put in against Accies.”

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