Hibs striker Christian Doidge has opened up on how he has coped with adapting to life in the SPFL.
The striker arrived from Forest Green Rovers in the summer, With the Scottish Sun reporting he cost the Hibees £350k.
He has opened up on the ‘intense’ nature of Scottish football and how he has dealt with football in this country so far.
Doidge told the Edinburgh Evening News: ““We’ve not had many games in the top flight, only St Mirren and Rangers. I played the 90 against Rangers and had a bit-part against St Mirren but they are two totally different scale of football clubs.
“It’s intense, everyone is well supported. It’s a great opportunity up here because so many fans come to watch, home and away. The Ibrox crowd is the biggest I’ve played in front of by far.
“I’ve played at Wembley (for Tranmere in the National League play-off against two years ago) but with nowhere near as many people or that noise, but it was good. The result didn’t help but if you are losing 6-1, you warrant a kick up the bum. That’s football.”
Hibs man Doidge needs to be given time to settle in the SPFL
The reported fee he has arrived for already lumps pressure on his shoulders. The Scottish Sun’s report states that it’s biggest fee the club have paid for a player since snapping up James Collins for £200k in 2013.
Hibs fans will expect a lot from him because of that. Some may expect him to hit the ground running straight away, but it’s sometimes not as simple as that.
He has to be given time to settle. He has just moved country and is playing in a new league. It’ll be a bit of a culture shock for him and the Welshman must be given time to adapt.
It’s not like he has been terrible. Doidge has still scored twice in six matches, with one assist. Those aren’t great stats, but he has still to hit top form. The 26-year-old must be given time to do so before people write him off.
There’s much more to come for the Welshman. A couple extra goals in the next few weeks would help his confidence to no end.