Josh Doig spent some time working with his mum and dad, stacking shelves while he aimed for a career in football – and he’s grateful for one at Hibs as he signs a new deal until 2025.
The teenage left-back has been a revelation at Hibs this season, form at Easter Road this term following a loan spell at Queen’s Park leading to links to the Premier League with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and more.
Doig admits he has been taken aback by his fast rise after being released by Hearts: “Being released was a big knock, but coming to Hibs helped my confidence so much. Football is an absolute rollercoaster – it’s madness – and I can’t thank them enough for hauling me back up.
“I was nowhere near the player I am now at 15 or 16 when I got released. I was tall, lanky and playing centre midfield. I didn’t know what to do, but I fell back into centre-half and found my comfort a wee bit. Obviously I’ve now fallen into left-back and left wing-back, so its good to run about with my head down.
“I fell back in love with the game, because when I was released, it was a hard time for me and my family – looking for jobs and for what to do. I was clueless, I didn’t know what to do. I knew I wanted to do something in sport as I could never sit in an office all day.
“I went into my mum and dad’s work, mum on the Friday and dad on the Saturday, just to get some experience and money while I was at school. But I knew right away working there that I couldn’t sit still.
“I was stacking shelves but I then couldn’t sleep at night because I had far too much energy! So I knew I wanted to do something in a sport-sense. To be playing football for a living is just crazy. I will never take it for granted, I know how hard I have worked for it.”
Big links to the Premier League have never phased Doig, focusing on the here and now at Hibs. Maths wasn’t his specialist class at school anyway: “I’m clueless about all that valuation stuff – maths was never my strongest subject.
“But I think this new deal does give a bit of security to both me and the club. I was already signed to 2023 under my previous contract and this is now just a new, better one. I’m still shocked to have played as many games as I have so now I need to build on that.
“What’s for me, won’t go by me. There’s always a lot of talk about moves but I try not to look at any of that. I’m playing football at Hibs and I’m enjoying every minute of it. I couldn’t be happier. I want to play as many games as I can. I’m only 18 and I’ve played a decent amount this season so it’s a good start. But it’s all about pushing forward now.”
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