Kevin Nisbet has revealed that summer training sessions with Ryan Porteous have helped him hit the ground running for Aberdeen this season. The striker scored a brace as the Dons kicked off their Premier Sports Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory away to Brora Rangers.
Summer training in the US
Nisbet worked hard over the summer with his former Hibernian and Scotland teammate Porteous at LAFC. The goal-getter has always focused on his fitness, but this pre-season he has come through flying without the niggles that have held him back in recent years. He confirmed: “The big thing for me in pre-season was staying fit. The last two seasons I have picked up an injury in pre-season that has hampered me going into the season. I have a good pre-season now. I trained for a good few weeks in the United States, myself and Ryan Porteous who is my mate. I did one-to-one sessions over there to keep me ticking over and ready for the season. Even last season I picked up a small injury in my hamstring. This pre-season I have come into it fit and ready and I think it will be good.”
Opening account and winning start
Nisbet was pleased to open his account and help the team to a winning start. He grabbed a brace but joked he could have had more. He said: “It is a good start. A couple of goals, clean sheet and three points. Coming to places like Brora Rangers is always tough as you are expected to win, and to win comfortably. We squandered a few chances before the penalty but that settled us down. I should have scored about 15 or something tonight but the second goal killed it.”
No early goal targets
Despite his strong start, Nisbet is not setting any goal targets yet. He said: “Ask me at Christmas. The last two Christmases haven't been great to be honest and the boys give me a wee bit of stick and say I just turn up in January. Hopefully it starts earlier this season.”
Robinson's revamped team
Manager Stephen Robinson has completely revamped the team, making 10 signings, and they look a different proposition. Nisbet noted: “That was a big thing for the gaffer during the pre-season was play forward. As soon as the ball comes in the middle he wants to see runners in behind. You can see there were a lot of runners in behind against Brora. Maybe we should have played the ball in a bit quicker but that'll come. It has been good even the buzz and environment the gaffer has created. He wants everyone to come in work hard and win games and we did that.”
New wingers provide ammunition
Robinson has also brought in exciting wingers Tony Yogane and Lewis Smith to provide service for Nisbet. Nisbet acknowledged: “Two direct, quick wingers with good deliveries who are a little bit different. Tony is maybe more one-v-one strong and Lewis makes good runs in behind and has real quality. There is a bit of variety on both wings which is obviously good for me. The team has gelled well and it was Nesta (Guinness Walker)'s first game and Smith as well. For us it is just about winning and keeping clean sheets and if we do that then we will progress.”
Nisbet's role in signing Smith
The former Millwall striker also played a part in bringing Smith from Livingston to Aberdeen. Nisbet explained: “I did. We have the same agent so I gave him a phone a couple of days ago and sold him the club. And he has signed so I'm happy.”
Leadership group
Nisbet wore the captain's armband and will be part of Aberdeen's leadership group this season, filling the void left by Graeme Shinnie's departure. He stated: “There are a few leaders- myself, Brad (Lyons), Nicky (Devlin), Mats (Knoester), Dimi (Mitov) - the older boys. It is a collective this year as it is hard to replicate what Shinnie brought. It is sharing the duties and stuff throughout the season and we'll see what happens.”
