Scots skipper’s rise to top inspires Doig

FOR Josh Doig, the remarkable rise of Scotland captain Andy Robertson is an inspirational tale. Just like Robertson being let go as a teenager by Celtic, the talented Hibs left-back was deemed surplus to requirements by Hearts before moving across the city to Easter Road. What followed was a successful season on loan at Queen’s Park, the same club where Robertson’s footballing journey began before he ventured to Dundee United, Hull City and Liverpool. Doig is busy making a name for himself at Hibs, with Arsenal, Leeds, Manchester City and Leicester City all interested in £1.5million moves for the 18-year-old, as reported by Sportsmail last month — and he dreams of emulating Robertson and Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney by going to the very top of the game. ‘Andy Robertson is a massive inspiration to me,’ said Doig (left) ahead of tomorrow’s trip to face Rangers. ‘He had setbacks at an early age, and I had that, too. But it motivates me. ‘I had to get away (from Hearts) if I wanted to become a footballer because I didn’t think I was going anywhere there. ‘You feel that hurt (at rejection) and you don’t want to feel it again, so it does motivate you to put the extra work in. You need that dedication if you are going to make it, and I have that drive. ‘I always knew this is what I wanted to do. I’m only at the start just now but I know where I want to be. ‘I watch Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney and I try to base my game on theirs. ‘If I can do that, I’ll be playing at a high level because they are top, top players. ‘When you hear these massive clubs are showing an interest in you it is a bit overwhelming. It’s madness. It doesn’t seem like so long ago I was trying to get a game at Queen’s Park. ‘But I just have to take it in my stride and not get too overconfident about it. The main focus is to keep developing.’

ROBERT MacINTYRE is feeling confident about his chances this weekend after continuing his impressive Masters debut with an assured second-round 70. And the 24-year-old Scot admitted he is now finding his feet at Augusta after suffering a few nerves on his first outing on Thursday. ‘Yesterday I was shaking on the first tee,’ said the left-hander from Oban. ‘That’s normal here. But (today) I was wanting to get right back into the golf tournament. I wasn’t thinking about anything other than that and that is what I did. ‘I’m going to have a chance over the weekend if I can post a good score tomorrow’.

Now sitting on level par, the 2019 European Tour rookie of the year hit five birdies, including a breathtaking run of three in succession on the 12th, 13th and 14th. ‘I missed one putt from inside ten feet, that’s where my golf is,’ said MacIntyre (right). ‘If I don’t miss a putt inside ten feet, then I score well. I worked hard on it, me and my coaches, and this is a reward for all of my practice and learning about the golf course here as much as I could. ‘It takes a while to work this place out as everybody knows and I feel like I’m starting to figure out where I can hit it and where I can’t hit it.’ That was evident yesterday in a display which caught the eye of playing partner, Canadian Mike Weir. ‘Robert has got a great game,’ said MacIntyre’s fellow left-hander, champion here in 2003. ‘He fades the ball well, which for a lefty you need to do around here, and he putts really well. I think that he can do well over the weekend.’ MacIntyre’s fellow Scot Martin Laird posted a 71, which leaves him one over for the tournament but Sandy Lyle ended on 12 over after a 75.