Doidge hopes to repeat Welsh League Cup success at Scotland’s National Stadium
Christian Doidge says Hibs plan to use the pain of their loss to Hearts in the Scottish Cup semis to power their way into the Betfred Cup Final.
The Leith club take on St Johnstone on Saturday night in the first of next weekend’s ties, with Livingston and St Mirren in action 22 hours later.
It is a quick return to Hampden, with Jack Ross’s side having gone down to their Edinburgh neighbours at the National Stadium in the country’s other big knockout competition back in November.
“This is massive for us,” said Doidge, who scored in the quarter-final win over Alloa to help his team into the last four.
“When we sit down at the start of the year, we single out what we want to achieve, and getting to semi-finals and finals is a major thing for us.
“We have a great opportunity to get to a final and, if we perform well, we have a great chance of making it and achieving what we wanted to do at the start of the season.
“It’s going to be a difficult game. Any semi-final is always high drama, with everyone performing at their best.
“St Johnstone have hit good form, so we have to make sure we are at the top of our game.
“We are going to take the disappointment from that semi-final into this one. It took a while to get over that one – and not just because it was against Hearts.
“Not getting an opportunity to play in a final is very disappointing, so we’re going to take that disappointment, work hard on the training pitch and try to get a game plan that will help us win and get through to the Final.
“Having already played at Hampden this year should help a bit with the preparation as the surroundings will be familiar, I suppose.
“It’s a different team, they are a good side and it is going to be very difficult. So we are going to have to make sure we prepare right to try to get to the Final.
“I have actually been lucky enough to win the Welsh League Cup twice with Carmarthen.
“I made my debut in the Final and then we won it again the following year, which was really good. But down in England, I didn’t get too far. I was always in a League Two side, so it was very difficult.
“It’s definitely the magic of the cup. You do enjoy these games, especially since I have come up to Scotland.
“We got to the semi-final last year, which was good. But we just want to go one better this year.”
While not nearly as prolific as Kevin Nisbet this season, Doidge has proved a useful foil for the Scot anytime Jack Ross has felt able to go with two up front.
Nisbet’s success since signing in the summer has been dramatic, to the extent he has been linked with moves to both Sunderland and Sheffield United in recent weeks.
“All the speculation is definitely good for Kevin, in terms of profile and stuff like that,” said Doidge.
“Fair play, he fully deserves it because he has been fantastic for us, especially considering it is his first year in the Premiership.
“He has hit the ground running, and he is a great lad as well
“I would like to think he won’t go anywhere, and I’m fairly sure he won’t.”
Doidge admits he could do with a bit more attention himself as his comparative dearth of goals has weakened his claim for an international call up with Wales.
“That has been difficult,” said the Hibs striker.
“I would say that my performances have been quite inconsistent this year, and I can’t really put my finger on why. But, at the same time, the team has been doing really well.
“We are in a good position in the league, and in another semi-final, so I can’t be too disappointed.
“I have just got to keep working hard and be a good team-mate, and we can keep winning games.
“Obviously, I am disappointed when I miss chances. but I pride myself on perseverance and I just keep going, keep battling and keep working hard.
“I remember where I’ve come from and I remember I have played in the Welsh Premier League and probably missed chances there as well. So it is part of the game.
“I’m just waiting to go on a run, and I think when one goes in, then many more will follow.”