The stat which underlines Kevin Nisbet's importance to Hibs

Kevin Nisbet's form for Hibs attracted serious interest in the January transfer window. Picture: SNS

Championship side Birmingham City put in a final bid of more than £2million which could have risen to around £3million with add-ons, but the Easter Road side held strong with their valuation.

Nisbet appealed to Hibs to allow him to leave but he remains at the club for the remainder of the season.

Motivation shouldn’t be an issue with Hibs fighting for European football and on a personal level the chance of a more lucrative move in the summer and a possible call-up for Scotland’s Euro 2020 campaign.

In recent weeks his influence has waned, scoring just once in six appearances since Christmas and was on the bench for the weekend’s win over Dundee United. In his three previous starts – Rangers, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock – he failed to register a shot, as per stats from Wyscout.

Danger, danger

However, analysis from Pure Fitbaw has shown just how important a player Nisbet has been since joining from Dunfermline Athletic in the summer.

The forward averages 2.73 shots per 90 minutes in the Premiership.

Yet, it is the danger he poses with those shots. In terms of goals Hibs were expected to score so far this campaign, excluding penalties, 30 per cent of those come from Nisbet’s shots.

Essentially, of the goals Hibs were expected to score from open play or set pieces – not penalties – so far this season, 30 per cent would have been netted by Nisbet. A figure which is much higher than any other striker playing for a team outside the Old Firm.

For comparison purposes, Sam Cosgrove, before he made the move to Birmingham City, was at 5 per cent, while Ross Stewart, who was linked with Hibs before his Sunderland transfer, was around 20 per cent.

Jack Ross’ starting XI for tonight’s Premiership clash with St Mirren will be an intriguing one. Martin Boyle partnered Christian Doidge in attack against Dundee United, the Australian international showing his threat in such a position with a goalscoring performance.

The game in Paisley kicks off at 6pm.