Docherty sets hot pace in pre-season training
GREG Docherty literally hit the ground running on Hull City’s return to pre-season training.
The 25-year-old Scot could face a battle to win a place in the Tigers’ midfield next season with moves for Ozan Tufun and Adama Traore understood to have already been rubber-stamped and owner Acun Ilicali holding talks with Jean Michael Seri in Istanbul.
But the former Glasgow Rangers grafter demonstrated he is up for the fight by finishing top of the running time trials as the squad was put through its paces on the first day back at Cottingham.
In a tweet that described Docherty as “Half Man Half Machine” on the club’s official account, an additional post then read: “The Doc came out on top in this morning’s gruelling time trial!”
Docherty featured 40 times for City in the Championship last term, including nine outings from the bench.
But the ex-scotland under-21 international failed to make any of Shota Arveladze’s last seven starting line-ups of the season and was an unused substitute for four of the final five games of the campaign.
Richie Smallwood, meanwhile, made the engine room’s first XI for every game during the final three months of 2021-22 before being granted a free transfer, along with fellow midfielder Tom Huddlestone.
With Docherty having one year left to run on his MKM Stadium, Arveladze did not have to make a similar decision on the City number eight’s future.
However, his determined start to pre-season should have caught the eye of the Georgian chief, as he ponders who he feels from the existing squad might be ready to help the club fulfil its target of challenging in the division’s higher reaches during 2022-23.
Judging by the comments under the tweet, which was accompanied by a photograph of Docherty during the time trials, City supporters were also impressed with the condition that he reported back to Cottingham in. One, named Sue, said: “Got to say he is looking lean.”
Another, called Soley, simply posted: “Animal.” And a third fan added: “Go on Doc. He’s Glaswegian...”
The Tigers have only confirmed two pre-season friendlies so far and they are taking place on the same day - Saturday, July 23, which is exactly a week before the start of the Championship season.
Both are against League One hosts with Cambridge United providing the opposition for a 12noon kick-off and Peterborough United scheduled in for 4pm.
Before those games, which will see different sides fielded by the visitors, Arveladze will take his players on a week-long overseas training camp in Marbella.