Doig inspired by rise of Tierney
WHATEVER has been in Scottish water in recent years appears to have concentrated in growing full-backs. In a fertile environment at Easter Road this season, Josh Doig is the latest to shoot to prominence after a sink or swim introduction to the Hibs first-team.
The 18-year-old’s formative years were spent keeping a close eye on Kieran Tierney at Celtic. Understandable, then, that he was fairly ticked to learn that by winning this season’s Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the year award he was following in the footsteps of the Scotland internationalist who won it three times in succession before his move to Arsenal.
“I’m ecstatic about it,” beamed the teenager. “It’s the first award I’ve ever won. It’s a first for me and a shock to be honest.”
It is not the only time he has emulated the now Arsenal fullback. Tierney was the second last in his Celtic youth group to be offered a professional contract because of suspicions about a slight build; Doig was released by Hearts before crossing the city to Hibs but there was always a question mark about whether he had the physical attributes to make a career in professional football.
The early setbacks and the doubts about his chances were the fuel that kept him working towards the fist-team goal.
“Growing up, Kieran Tierney was one [I liked to watch],” said Doig, who has been linked with Leciester, Celtic, Leeds and Arsenal. “He was so young but he always had that heart and desire, that aggression about him that was very inspiring.
“You could tell he was going to go far.” n