Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson believes the new Scotland boss will find it difficult to ignore captain Kevin Nisbet, who scored twice in the Dons' Premier Sports Cup win over Dundee, taking his season tally to nine goals.
Nisbet's scoring form
Nisbet, last capped for Scotland in 2023, has now scored nine goals in all competitions this season. Belgian Sebastien Pocognoli is the front-runner to replace Steve Clarke as national team manager.
Robinson said: "With that sort of scoring rate, it's hard to overlook him. It's hard to ignore when you keep scoring goals."
Robinson's praise
The Aberdeen boss added: "It's the one thing Northern Ireland and Scotland don't have. They don't have goal scorers. Obviously, Lawrence (Shankland) scored a lot of goals last year and has done. But I see Kevin in the same mode as him."
"He's clinical. He's got quality as well and is a quality footballer. And he's led the team really well. Hence why I've made him captain."
Captain's impact
Nisbet scored 11 goals last season but has improved since being named skipper. Robinson said: "I think, what, did he get 11 goals all last season? Since I came here, when we were in trouble, in my opinion, when I came here, real trouble, Kevin stood up to be counted."
"You get a lot of criticism, but he's got broad shoulders. He takes that as a striker. You'll miss chances, you'll play poorly but we always know he's going to score goals. And he's proved that again. Two great finishes and that's why I leave him on the pitch a lot."
Debut goal for Ntelo
Mitchy Ntelo also scored on his debut. Robinson said: "He was clinical. We changed a little bit at half-time and put Mitchy right through the middle and Toi slightly wider. As we thought Toi might give us that penetration in behind. Mitchy was very clever in those areas. And he showed how clinical he is."
"So a great way to start if you're a striker and to score a goal in your debut. It was a big ask of me to throw him in because he's trained three days. And he's done a pre-season with no real games. He played against Basel and scored two goals four weeks ago. So I'm really pleased with him. Again, not the finished article. He'll get better and better as the week goes on. He's a very good footballer and adds that little bit of pace and quality in any of the areas that we can play him in."
Reaction to defeat
The win was a response to last weekend's league loss at Dundee. Robinson said: "I'm my own biggest critic. My job is to stay calm. My job is to not get too high when we win like today or not get too low when we lose and that's what's happened at Aberdeen for too long. Boom and bust."
"As I said, everything wasn't wrong. We've won 5 out of 6 before today. We've now won 6 out of 7. I know the focus will not ever get that. The positivity will never be put through because that sells better, so it's my job to make sure you remain calm when you pick the team. Wholesale changes weren't needed, which proved in the performance and result and when we win games, the same."
"There's lots of things that need improved and still will improve." Robinson and his team now look forward to the quarter-final draw.
