Kevin Nisbet turned down 'flattering' offer from Hearts to seal Hibs switch

Tynecastle Park side submitted eleventh-hour bid, according to striker
Kevin Nisbet takes part in his first full training session as a Hibs playerKevin Nisbet takes part in his first full training session as a Hibs player
Kevin Nisbet takes part in his first full training session as a Hibs player

Kevin Nisbet has confirmed there was late interest from Hearts before he signed a four-year deal with Hibs last week - but said there was no chance of him turning down the chance of an Easter Road move.

The 23-year-old put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Capital club last Friday, with Hibs shelling out a six-figure fee to secure the highly sought-after striker after failing with an initial approach during the January transfer window.

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Claims last week that the Tynecastle Park side had attempted to hijack the deal at the eleventh hour were rubbished by Hearts manager Robbie Neilson but the former Dunfermline Athletic forward insisted that there had been interest from Hibs' rivals.

"[Hearts] made an offer, and it was flattering, but it was a case of saying 'no thanks', getting everything signed with Hibs and becoming a Hibs player,” he said.

"Ever since January, Hibs has been the place I've wanted to be, where I want to score goals. I've turned down offers from England. Money isn't that important to me right now. I’m on a journey, and this is the path I want to take.

"I want to make decisions for my career and, if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out."

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Nisbet, who experienced his first full training session as a Hibs player at East Mains on Monday, is now at his seventh senior club following his release from Partick Thistle and insists returning to the club he had spent time with as a schoolboy seemed like the logical next step.

"Having been released by Thistle, it made me think I'd go to League One, then the Championship, then the Premiership and hopefully score goals in each league," he explained.

"I've done it in two leagues so hopefully I can do it in the Premiership and prove a lot of people wrong.

"Going down south at this point in my career was something I didn't want to do. I spoke to my family and Hibs were always the first choice for me.

"I think Hibs is the perfect place to come. I think I'll fit in the team well. I'm just delighted to be back here.”

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