Reported Celtic target Josh Doig has opened up on his future as he delivered an emphatic message that Hibs fans will be delighted to hear.
The left-back has just had an incredible weekend on a personal level. Doig was part of the Hibs team that made the Scottish Cup final with a dominant 2-0 win over Dundee United, before being named the SFWA Young Player of the Year.
That’s once again put him back in the headlines. Sky Sports had previously reported back in January that Celtic could make a move in the summer. Since then he’s continued to flourish in Jack Ross’ Easter Road side.
And it appears he doesn’t have eyes for a move away from there just yet. Whilst effectively showing how flattered he was with the speculation, Doig instead used it to talk up his happiness in Leith.
As quoted by the Scotsman, the young dyanmo said: “It’s crazy because I’ve grown up watching all these clubs and for any of them even to show an interest…Whatever happens happens. But as long as I’m playing football, whether it’s here, at Barcelona, or back at Queen’s Park, that’s what I want. I absolutely adore it here at Hibs.
“You can see with the likes of John McGinn, I know Hibs is a great pathway to go to higher places but it is still a massive club in itself. We could finish third this season.
“I don’t think there’s a better place than Hibs to develop as a player. I know that myself as I have come on so much. Being here is good for me.”
Josh Doig keeps a sensible head on; but decision will need to be made on his future
You have to admire the way Doig talks about his long-term future. At 18, it would be easy to get carried away with talk that the likes of Celtic, Chelsea, and Arsenal have been looking at you [Sky Sports]. Instead, the Scottish youngster appears to have a mature head on his shoulders.
He knows the time to talk about potential moves isn’t now. And indeed, he seems to understand that the only thing that will develop his game further is first-team minutes. Whether he would get that at any of the clubs being linked with him is questionable.
From a Celtic perspective, the club surely wouldn’t want to wait too long on this one. If we decided to wait and wait, Doig’s valuation goes up and up. The Daily Mail’s Stephen McGowan believes that Hibs currently only want £1.2m for his services [Daily Mail print edition, 08/05, page 115]. That won’t stay the same the more minutes he wraps up.
However, we also have a major rebuild ahead of us this summer. Where Doig ranks amongst the priorities considering we need so many players in the door remains to be seen. We do need a left-back. It’s whether we would need an experienced one to be our first-choice given the demands on the football club next season.
But Hibs and Doig will need to make a decision on the player’s future soon. Yes, he’s under contract in Edinburgh until 2025, but Hibs will be like many other clubs looking to bounce back from the Covid pandemic. That could help Celtic in any chase for Doig.
The player himself isn’t making it easier given his loyalty to Leith. All that shows, however, is a player who knows what his priorities are.
In other news, Celtic’s email update will mean nothing if it’s followed by prolonged silence.
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