I’ve kicked the Busquets now I’m Andy man
Hibs kid Josh wants to play like Robertson
HIBS hot property Josh Doig grew up loving Busquets but he’s now devouring footage of homegrown hero Andy Robertson.
The Hibs full-back has been one of the stars of the season and has shot on to the watch lists of several English Premier League teams, including Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City.
Doig has high hopes but is in no hurry as he knows he’s still learning his craft at Easter Road, having come through the ranks as a midfielder at Hearts and spent a spell at centre-back with Robertson’s old club Queen’s Park.
The teenager used to study Barcelona great Sergio Busquets – but it’s Scotland’s skipper Robbo and Kieran Tierney who are now his homework as he eyes a path to the EPL. Doig said: “I always liked Busquets and would have liked to try to base my game on him.
“That was never going to happen though!
“But he’s unbelievable. The composure he has is scary. To be honest, I never really enjoyed centre mid. It was never a position I thought I would end up at because I had so much energy so left wing-back is ideal for me.
“It was then Gareth Bale, even in his early Tottenham days as well. He was always so fast and powerful and he was tall and big so that meant he was someone I could base my game on.
“He is so direct with the ball and I remember watching because he was brilliant playing left-back as well.
“I wanted to get as big and as athletic as him. That’s a goal I am still pushing for. But now Andy Robertson is a massive inspiration. I watch him and Kieran and try to base my game on theirs.
“If I can do that I’ll be playing at a high level. They are top players.
“Andy had setbacks at an early age and I had that as well. It motivates me.
“You see John McGinn as well. All of them are doing so well and it proves that you can do it if you are Scottish.
“I am putting the work in and hopefully I can copy them. They are role models for a lot of Scottish players.”
Doig’s dad showed him the Leicester stories in the media and he admitted it made him blush.
The youngster said: “It’s madness. It doesn’t seem like so long ago I was trying to get a game at Queens Park.
“When you hear these massive clubs are showing an interest it is a bit overwhelming. I just have to take it in my stride and not get too overconfident about it. I need to try to keep the head.
“I listened to the chairman [Ron Gordon] and he said was excited about the Leicester talk but he knows I’m still young.
“The main focus is to keep developing as I’m still learning every day. I want to play as many games as possible.”
Doig got rave reviews from Rangers when Hibs went down fighting at Ibrox in late December and he’s looking to catch the eye again tomorrow.
He said: “James Tavernier has been brilliant this season so to go up against him and put up a fight was massive.
“To have the likes of him and Steven Gerrard saying nice things about me was a confidence boost as well.
“It’s been good for me going up against Celtic and Rangers.”
It doesn’t seem long ago I was trying to get a game at Queen’s Park JOSH DOIG ON BEING LINKED WITH LEICESTER CITY