McManus backs Celtic to seal ‘£4m’ Kevin Nisbet deal after ‘big’ update
It could take as much as £4million for Celtic to sign Kevin Nisbet from Hibernian this month.
That’s according to former Hibs striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Hoops’ hunt for a new striker.
On 16 January, the Scottish Sun reported Nisbet, 25, is back on Celtic’s radar as he enters the final 18 months of his Hibs contract.
The striker has been in fine form since returning to action after almost 10 months on the sidelines, scoring seven goals in six Premiership games this season.
McManus claims Celtic will only move for Nesbit if Giorgos Giakoumakis leaves Parkhead this month.
“It would be a massive blow for Hibs,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“He only has 18 months left on his deal, if you don’t sell him this window then all of a sudden he is in the last year of his contract and the player has all of the power.
“Hibs would get a significant fee, it would be £3million or maybe £4million if they were to get him out this window.
“I don’t know if Celtic have got that kind of money, I guess it depends if they sell Giakoumakis or not, that’s the big one.
“Either way, Hibs will want to keep hold of Kevin until at least the end of the season.
“The best window to sell him in would be now. If you let him get into the last year of his deal then you have another Porteous situation where you end up getting nowhere near what you should have got.
“It’s a risky game but Hibs need him. The manager definitely needs him.
“He’s keeping him in the job.”
In other news, one expert claims Giorgos Giakoumakis is certain to be sold this month after Celtic development – ‘I don’t blame him’.