Aidan looking to better successful loan spell
Aidan Nesbitt enjoyed a successful loan spell with Morton in season 2016/17 but feels equipped to make a bigger impact on his return to Cappielow.
The winger arrived in Greenock on a temporary basis from parent club Celtic in the summer of 2016 and made himself something of a fans’ favourite with his boundless energy and dynamic wing play.
Nesbitt made 37 appearances, scored one goal and earned a Scotland Under-21 call up as the Ton reached the Premiership promotion play-offs, the Betfred Cup semi-finals, and the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
But after two years away, during which time he played for MK Dons and Dundee United, the 22-year-old feels he has matured as a player and hopes to surpass his previous campaign in a Ton shirt.
Nesbitt told gmfc.net: “I’m buzzing. I had a really good season the last time I was here and I hope can replicate that – and be better than the last time.
“I’m three years older, and maybe wiser. I like to work hard and I can work even harder, and hopefully have a really good season.
“Coming back here … I think this is the first time I’ve been back since I left … and I just have fond memories here. I remember some good games, like the night we beat St Mirren and the night we got to the semi-final.
“Nights like that make you think, and you just want to come back and do it all again, and enjoy your football again. That’s why I’m so happy to be back.
“It was a successful season and I hope the season coming up can be just as successful or even more so. Hopefully I can make more good memories, for me, the club, and the fans.”
Nesbitt’s performances saw English League One outfit Milton Keynes Dons pay Celtic an undisclosed fee to secure his services, and he believes his season and a half down south has stood him in good stead.
He explained: “Initially, I started really well in England and enjoyed it. I don’t want to sound like a hard-luck story, but you get injured and then things don’t go your way.
“I did the ligaments in my ankle and I was out for a few months. Then I struggled to get back in after that. Then I came back up the road to Dundee United and it just never worked out.
“This is the place that I know I can play good football, play regular football. I think regular football at this age is a must. However, I’ve not just come here to play but to be the best and hardest working player I can be.
“In my time away I’ve become more mature as a player in the respect that my decision making is better than then, and I’ve improved my end product. I believe I’ll score more goals and get more assists than I did last time.
“I’m hoping that in six weeks’ time I will have got more goals and assists than I did in a full season here. When you’re an attacking player, it’s not just about beating the full-back.
“It’s about providing a good quality end product, scoring goals, providing assists, and I think that’s the main thing I’ve learned in my time away from here.”
The wideman is long-time friend of new striker Robbie Muirhead, and he is excited to link up with the former Kilmarnock and Dundee United man on the park next term.
A grinning Nesbitt said: “I know Robbie well. Both of us spoke about signing for Morton. Obviously it’s a separate thing and wasn’t dependent on the other one joining.
“I would never have come here because of him – actually, Robbie signing here might have put me off it! But, joking aside, he’s my mate and we both have the same agent and both wanted to come here.
“He’s never played here before, only against Morton, but I have and I told him how much I enjoyed my season. It’s a good place for two young boys.
“I mean, we’re 22 and 23 years old with a lot to offer – and I said to him that the club has a lot to offer us as players as well. I’m really looking forward to it because I know what we can achieve here.”
Image (main): Jonathan Mitchell
Image (inset): Gary Bradley
