Doig making his mark at Hibs after crossing the great divide
Josh Doig has joined a small band of players who have crossed the great divide from Tynecastle to Easter Road without playing a first team game and gone on to make a name for themselves at Hibs.
First up was Eric Stevenson who left Hearts following contract irregularities which meant the Gorgie side were fined by the authorities. Then Peter Cormack decided enough was enough after a series of mundane ground staff duties ended with him crashing a tractor whilst mowing the Tynecastle pitch.
More recently Jason Cummings arrived at Hibs via Hutchison Vale after being freed by Hearts, and took revenge with a series of derby goals before subsequently winning international recognition.
The fans already believe the club has unearthed another gem in teenage full-back Doig, whose performances already have him compared with Liverpool and Scotland star Andy Robertson. In the January transfer window he joined Queen's Park on loan, making seven appearances in League Two before the coronavirus shutdown, and in that time Spiders boss Ray McKinnon was hugely impressed by the teenager's performances and said comparisons with Scotland captain Robertson were there for all to see.
He said: "The kid was phenomenal. He's quick, aggressive, athletic, with a great delivery and we were over the moon with him.
"We thought he was fantastic. He was absolutely unbelievable for us last season. He was outstanding and must have got man of the match in three or four games.
"He's 6ft, athletic, and has a brilliant, calm demeanour about him. I think he's got a huge future, I really do.
"Hibs might see him as centrehalf but everyone at Queen's was talking about the Andy Robertson comparison because he really has some engine, and was getting up and down, putting crosses in and playing one-two's. He's an excellent young player with a great future ahead of him, and has all the attributes.”
Fellow defender Ryan Porteous, who spent time at Edinburgh City on loan, knows the value of playing first team football at an early age. He said: “Loan spells are vital for players at that age. You need to get battered about, learn when and when not to tackle, and when to stand up.
"At Queen’s Park, Josh was playing in some brilliant games, but there were times at Edinburgh City where we got battered up and down by 35-year-old guys who wanted to try and hurt you. It's about learning his trade, and he's done that so far.
"His performances on the park have been brilliant. He's a young, confident lad with a lot of energy driving forward and to be playing over Lewis Stevenson, a player who has been consistently playing for the club for many years, is really impressive. I hope he can keep putting in the performances and we can back it up as well."
Team mate Daryl Horgan added: “When you are a young player coming through, you don't know everything. You know the game but maybe not the nuances of professional football.
"Josh is a brilliant kid, his attitude is spot-on, he's been unbelievable the last couple of games and he takes in information like a sponge straight away and doesn't make the same mistakes again. He's got a right good chance, he's a brilliant young player.”
Head Coach, Jack Ross, agreed with Ray McKinnon’s assessment and demonstrated his faith in the youngster, giving him an extended contract to 2023 and starting him in the opening games of the season in the place of long term defender, Lewis Stevenson.
Ross said: “He’s growing in each game. He is finding his game-legs at this level because he is still very young and it's different playing in the intensity of these fixtures. Josh is getting there and the fact he lasted the full game against Dundee United is brilliant because he’ll grow that belief.
“By his own admission, Lewy (Stevenson) was a bit up and down in pre-season but he’s still a big part of what we're doing here. He’ll play a big part this season and he’ll be a massive help for Josh as well. He’s a brilliant help for me off the pitch with Josh.”
The teenager was quick to praise the contribution of Stevenson and another CIS Cup winning full-back in his progression to the first team. Josh said: ”It’s been brilliant. I’ve enjoyed it ever since I came in. I’ve come on leaps and bounds. The coaching staff and everyone has kicked me on and it’s paid off in the end.
"I’ve improved as a player and a person as well. It’s a great experience playing with the first team with the players talking to you and helping you.
“Lewis Stevenson has been a great help with my game, telling me to do extra and Steven Whittaker as well. He’s taken the 18s squad with me and he was always giving me pointers to help me. They both tell me to always work my hardest and put maximum effort into everything and what Lewis does in the gym, if you watch him, he always puts 100% into everything he does.”