Report: Celtic tracking £1million-rated Hibernian defender

By David Walton

January 27, 2021

Celtic are one of several clubs tracking Hibernian defender Josh Doig, according to Goal.

The source claims that the Hoops are battling the likes of Leeds United and Manchester City for his services. They also claim that Arsenal and Chelsea have been looking, but the latter has now cooled any interest due to their change of manager.

Goal reports that the Hoops could sign Doig for as little as £1million. That would appear to be optimistic given his Hibs contract runs until the summer of 2023 [Transfermarkt].

Doig has managed an impressive 18 appearances for the Easter Road side at left-back. He’s been rotating regularly with Lewis Stevenson. The young Scot was particularly impressive at Parkhead in a pre-season friendly, where he opened the scoring and caused the Hoops plenty of bother with his attacking runs down the left.

The youngster was on loan at Queen’s Park last season, and has been in and out of the Hibs starting XI this year after a spell on the bench over the course of December.

Celtic Park a major step up for the Hibernian defender

Personally, I think it would be worth waiting before pursuing this one. As promising as Doig looks, it could be worth waiting to see if he can get some more first-team experience under his belt.

The young defender hasn’t managed to attract the same headlines since being roasted at Parkhead by Jeremie Frimpong in September. He could do with continuing to experience more Premiership football at a fine club such as Hibs.

It’s also unlikely that the Hibbees would play ball here either. It’s not as if they have to sell. Looking back on our previous experiences with them, £1m for one of their top young talents looks far too optimistic. Hibs will know they have an asset there.

Hibernian defender Josh Doig/ (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Celtic also don’t have any major concerns at left-back just now. Goal states that the Hoops would offer Doig a quicker route to first-team football than a Man City. But with Greg Taylor and Diego Laxalt available, getting minutes for Doig would appear optimistic.

His main focus should just be on winning back his place in the Hibs side. At 18 years of age, he’s in a sensational spot at the moment with regards to Premiership exposure. It’s vital he makes the most of it and doesn’t throw it away for the bright lights of Parkhead or the Etihad.

This is one I think all parties should wait a little while yet on.

In other news, a new banner has been put up outside Paradise.