Aberdeen FC captain Kevin Nisbet has demanded a fast start from his side as they prepare to host Kilmarnock this Saturday. Speaking to the media on Friday, the forward stressed the importance of bouncing back immediately after two consecutive defeats.
Nisbet's message comes with Aberdeen sitting 10th in the Premiership, having taken just four points from their opening five matches. Their recent form reads DLLLW, with only two goals scored and seven conceded so far this campaign. That leaves them 11 points adrift of league leaders Celtic, a gap they will be desperate to start closing. The Dons' next fixture after this weekend is an away trip to face St Johnstone on December 26th.
Kevin Nisbet believes the key to turning results around lies in the opening minutes. "I think every game you play for Aberdeen, there is pressure," he said. "The good thing about football is there’s always another game, and it comes quite quick." He argued that scoring early allows the team to control matches and ultimately secure victories. This philosophy will be tested against a Kilmarnock side visiting Pittodrie, where Aberdeen's home form has been a relative strength.
The captain pointed to the fine margins in their recent 3-0 loss to Celtic. He suggested that if a chance from Gavin, which struck the crossbar, had gone in, the entire complexion of the match could have changed. Nisbet insists the squad remains confident and well-drilled despite the setbacks, with a long season still ahead. He views the week leading into the international break as a massive opportunity to get points on the board and improve their standings position.
Nisbet admitted the last two results have been tough, referencing a "tough night" in midweek and acknowledging there were "good bits" in Sunday's performance. His response is to focus on unity. "We should stick together and not get down after two losses," he stated. The focus is squarely on securing three points against Kilmarnock to get their season back on track.
The skipper also highlighted the team's strength in depth, noting they have a variety of players who can operate in the same positions. This allows for tactical flexibility, such as bringing on players like Mitchy and Toy to inject pace into games later on. Nisbet feels the team has put themselves in a reasonable position overall and that a couple of wins would constitute a good start to the season.
As a leader, Kevin Nisbet takes an active role in integrating new arrivals. He revealed he messages new players when they sign to help them settle into life at Pittodrie. This was evident in Wednesday's match, where he played alongside recent signing Ayoub Mouloua. Nisbet acknowledged there is a language barrier with the young player, who is still learning the game, but praised how well the squad has settled in new faces overall.
Wearing the armband is a responsibility he cherishes. "I’ve loved every minute, yeah," Nisbet confessed. "Off the park and on the park, every time I walk out for each game, it’s a privilege to wear the armband for Aberdeen." His leadership will be vital as Aberdeen handles a packed schedule. Fans can see the full roster of players he leads on the official squad list.
Nisbet's preview sets the stage for a critical match at Pittodrie. The Dons' immediate focus is solely on halting their slide with a victory this Saturday before looking ahead to their Boxing Day fixture at McDiarmid Park.
