JOSH ADMITS IT’S GREEN FOR GROW AT HIBS
HIBS wing-back Josh Doig believes he has come of age this season amid a rollercoaster campaign on and off the park.
The 19-year-old has been nominated for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award after collecting the Scottish Football Writers’ young player prize last term.
Doig has followed his breakthrough season at Easter Road with another impressive campaign, despite Hibs’ struggles in the Premiership.
The Scotland Under-21 ace also had to overcome an unsettling spell last summer after a proposed move south of the border failed to materialise.
However, having racked up 38 appearances this term, the teenager believes he is going from strength to strength.
Doig said: “It was a new challenge. Everyone says it’s hard in your second season.
“I think this season it’s been becoming a proper professional, you’re not a young boy any more.
“You have to compose yourself a wee bit. Last season I was a little hectic on the ball so I’ve been trying to relax.
“It’s been good, I’ve played different positions all over the place.
“As long as I’m on the pitch playing I will always be happy.”
In November, Doig signed a new deal that runs until summer 2026 and he insists he’s in a better position now to cope with any transfer talk.
He added: “It was a new experience [being linked with a move]. I probably looked at it too much and got excited, listening to all my pals.
“But it taught me just to play football at the end of the day, don’t look at anything, keep away from your phone, don’t take anything too seriously.
“It probably threw me off a wee bit and it took me a wee while to get back into it. But I came back in here and started playing again.
“It taught me not to look at anything and put any speculation to the back of your mind.
“I’m at Hibs and loving it and I try not look too far into the future.”
Doig earned promotion to the Scotland Under-21 set-up earlier this season and would love a senior cap.
He added: “Hopefully one day, that’s the goal in the end.
“I had only just started at Under-19s so to now be in the 21s is a brilliant experience. To play for your
country is amazing.”