‘I’ve got to look after myself’ – Doidge faces uncertain Hibs future
Christian Doidge dug Hibs out of hole in their narrow Scottish Cup triumph away at Forfar Athletic, but it is hard to escape the feeling that time is running out on his Hibs career.
The 31-year-old glanced home the winner against the Loons at Station Park on 69 minutesandmadejustascrucialaninterventionattheotherendwhenheheadedagoalbound Matthew Allan effort off the line in the first half. He was one of the very few Hibs players to get pass marks in what was a poor display from thepremiershipoutfitagainst part-time League Two opposition.
Doidge is entering his fifth season at Hibs and has scored 41 goals in 146 appearances. It is a very respectable haul from a striker who has spent the last two years fighting for his future under a succession of managers.
Farmed out to Kilmarnock last season, his previous boss Lee Johnson didn’t fancy him and current gaffer Nick Montgomeryhasalsomadeit known that he is free to leave this month if the right move presents itself.
The Scotsman understands that there has been some interest from other clubs in Scotland but nothing that has made Doidge want to depart. He will remain in the squad should the transfer window close with him still at Easter Road but with his contract expiring in the summer, a stay beyond then feels highly unlikely.
Hibsarecurrentlywithouta numberofplayersduetoinjury and international commitments but once everyone is back, Doidge will be competing with Dylan Vente, Martin Boyle, Adam Le Fondre, Elie Youan and new signing Myziane Maolida for a place in the team.
The ex-forest Green man startedforthesecondtimeina row against Forfar but before then,hehadbeenusedlargely as a substitute.
Doidge spoke candidly with reporters in Station Park’s main stand about his future. “There’s been a little chat, but nothing concrete,” he said on contract talks.
“I’ve got six months left. I’ll just have to see what happens. There’s a lot of [attacking] options. They’ve brought in a new laddie up front who looks really good.
“I’m not really sure, to be honest. I’ve got to try and look after myself. It’s a short career soifsomethingdoescomeup, I’ll be quite happy to move on ifihaveto.iloveitherebutyou have to weigh up the options and see what happens. I back myself. I know what my strengths are and they are a lot different to the other lads. And the manager knows that too.butiwanttoplayasmuch football as I can.”
There will likely be more talks with the Hibs hierarchy beforethemonthisout.“ilove it here but it’s down to conversations with Ian [Gordon, director], Ben [Kensell, CEO] andthegaffer,”addeddoidge.
“If I’m not wanted come the summer, I’ll have to move on – I need to play somewhere! It’s in a great city, great fanbase, loads of pressure, it gets yououtofbedinthemorning. Youwanttoplayforabigclub. I’ve just had a really enjoyable coming up for five years now. The dressing room, the trainingground–everythingabout the club really.
“Listen, football is crazy. We’llseewhathappens,ihave no idea.”