DREAM COME TRUE
COVETED BY THE ENGLISH ELITE AND ON COURSE FOR STARDOM, BUT GROUNDED HIBS KID DOIG IS JUST THRILLED TO SEE HIS OBSESSION BEAR FRUIT
THE journey began with baby steps in the back garden. Sacrifices in the school playground were made before greater strides led to Leith and then to Hampden. With Arsenal, Manchester City and Leeds keeping track of Josh Doig for a potential £1.5million summer move, his future destination remains unclear but certainly looks promising.
Wherever he travels, the Hibs left-back will adopt an attitude which has served him so well in life. In every sense, there has been a determination to never drop the ball.
‘Literally, from when I started walking, I always had a ball in my hand,’ says the 18-year-old.
‘I see videos when I was a baby and I always wanted a ball in my hand and kicking it at my feet. I was in love with the game from a very young age.
‘It was my dad who got me into it right away. He was brilliant with me, taking me into our back garden. All I wanted to do was play football.
‘At primary school, I wouldn’t eat my lunch. I just stuck it all in my pockets and would go out and play football. I was so obsessed with it.
‘To be doing it as a job now is a dream come true. I’m delighted the hard work has paid off.’
Doig continues to be a revelation at Easter Road. His breakthrough into the first team this season under manager Jack Ross has caught the eye of many observers.
A contract extension until 2025 and scoring his first senior goal have been among the highlights. It is understood he is also attracting interest from clubs in the English Championship and overseas.
The youngster can now allow himself to look to the future. Becoming a Scotland regular in the senior squad, and ultimately following the path of current captain Andy Robertson from Queen’s Park to the top of the game, is his dream.
But with a maturity and calmness that mirrors his attitude on the pitch, Doig will always have time to reflect on his past.
There were days when things did not seem quite so bright. The disappointment of being released by Hearts after progressing through their youth ranks was naturally a sore point.
With the support of dad Tommy and mum Lynda, Doig has received guidance when he needed it most.
‘My dad was always taking me to the park,’ adds Doig. ‘From a young age, he never forced me into it.
‘That’s one thing I realise. He said to me: “Look, if you ever feel it is too much pressure, like at Hearts, take a year out. If you don’t want to be here, you don’t have to”.
‘He knew sometimes I struggled with confidence when I was younger. My mum and dad were taking me to training every night. They had so much commitment to me. They are a massive part of my success at the moment.
‘My dad helped me so much growing up. He was my coach at my boys club, Musselburgh Windsor. He knew to bring me down as well. If I scored a goal, he would always take me off. I got annoyed by it but it was a good lesson in that sense.’
A fleeting loan spell at Queen’s Park in League Two last season before the shutdown gave Doig the experience of playing at the national stadium.
Ross has more recently used Doig at left wing-back, allowing him to showcase his athleticism and drive in his 27 appearances so far this season, the latest being in Hibs’ 1-1 draw at Livingston yesterday.
So how does Doig deal with attention which has led to some of the biggest clubs tracking his progress?
‘My mum gets all the papers,’ he says. ‘I like it that people are writing nice things but all it takes is one bad game. I stay away from social media as much as I can. It can be a bad place and a good place.’
Early comparisons to Robertson and fellow left-back Kieran Tierney are unlikely to disappear any time soon. ‘Nothing at all sadly but, hopefully, one day,’ responds Doig when asked about any communication with them.
But he cannot hide his admiration for the pair who have become stars for Liverpool and Arsenal respectively. ‘I remember watching Kieran Tierney playing for Celtic and I thought he was unbelievable,’ admits Doig. ‘He is a big inspiration for me, just because of the amount of heart and desire he has.
‘I’d say Andy Robertson is the best left-back in the world at the moment. He’s a great person to idolise. I always try to watch him when Liverpool are on TV.
‘Both have that drive and hunger for the game. You need that if you are going to play at the top level. That’s something I look up to and want to have.’
And so to the dream. The end goal. Doig’s ultimate ambition in a career which is, so far, showing positive signs.
‘I’ve had experience with the Under-18s and 19s,’ says Doig of his Scotland call-ups. ‘Putting on that jersey and singing the national anthem — there’s nothing better.
‘When we played England and the national anthem came on, I teared up. The goal is the Under-21s. That’s the next step, although it is hard because there is so much competition.
‘The end goal is the first team. There is major competition in the position. I’ll be patient. I’m not expecting that in the near future. But if I keep my head down and keep working, you never know.’
Asked about his highlights from watching Scotland growing up, his response is predictable but nevertheless joyful.
‘The save to go through to the Euros — that was unbelievable,’ says Doig of that stop by David Marshall against Serbia, which booked Scotland’s place in this summer’s tournament. ‘My dad and I were going absolutely mental.
‘I love watching Scotland. I’ve been to a few games at Hampden. I loved it, hearing the anthem. I had every Scotland top growing up. It’s always been a big goal for me.’