Rumour rated: What are the chances of Portsmouth landing Scottish hot-shot linked with Rangers, Dundee United and Hibs

Twelve months ago the Blues were heavily linked with a move for Scottish striker Lawrence Shankland.

A year on and Kenny Jackett may well be ruing a swoop not coming to fruition, with the 24-year-old a full Scottish international after firing in a more than impressive 29 goals for Dundee United in the Scottish Championship before the season came to a halt.

Could history now be about to repeat itself with Jackett interested in landing Dunfermline hitman Nisbet?

There are parallels between the two strikers with Nisbet a year Shankland’s junior and producing similar goalscoring exploits in Scotland’s second tier.

Nisbet has bagged 23 goals this term from 32 outings and that return follows on from him firing in a whopping 34 finishes to finish as the top scorer in Scottish League One for Raith Rovers in the 2018-19 season.

His finishes outline his ability as an all-round goalscorer.

Right-footed but comfortable finishing with either foot, Nisbet is a direct runner capable of finding the back of the net from anywhere around the 20-yard box.

At 6ft 1in the former Partick Thistle talent is a decent physical presence and that’s underlined by the amount of goals he’s scored with his heading.

He likes to engage defenders, however, and is more than capable of beating opponents in one-on-one situations.

Nisbet is also a threat from free-kicks and has the ability to get the ball up and down from 25 yards, resulting in some impressive finishes.

He has been linked with Scottish giants Rangers in the past but it’s new SPL side Dundee United and Edinburgh outfit Dundee United who are being most strongly touted for moves for the player at present.

And that’s where the issue lies for Pompey.

There’s little doubt there’s interest from Fratton Park and, with a year remaining on his existing agreement at East End Park, it appears Nisbet will be on the move this summer.

But with the player’s preference to remain north of the border, it looks like the Blues have it all to do to convince one of Scotland’s bright, young things to move to the other end of the country.

Rumour rating: 3/5.

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