Hibs manager Jack Ross thinks Josh Doig answered a lot of questions over his ability last season after breaking into the first-team at Easter Road – but he Hibees gaffer thinks his derby debut last weekend is proof the teen is on an “upward trajectory” in his career.
Doig’s Hibs future was up in the air over the summer as he looked set to leave Easter Road with a host of Premier League sides to lure him south of the border but a move never materialised and he remained in the capital.
Since returning to the side following the speculation over his future, Ross has been impressed with Doig’s performances as he pushes thed defender to “be better” and continue striving to improve.
“Josh answered a lot of questions last season,” Ross said [EEN]. “Any young player who steps into the first team gets the opportunity because of ability and attributes, but you don’t know how he will handle that challenge.
“That’s the last missing part for any young player. The remaining question was about how he’d play in front of a crowd, in that type of atmosphere.
“I didn’t think he’d have any problem because we’d worked with him and although people forget it, he had some difficult games last season but his response was always brilliant. At that point we knew we had somebody with strength of character.”
“He loved Sunday. It was a new environment for him, particularly as a wide player there where it’s not easy – especially in the derby. He handled it really well.
“This is him saying, ‘I’m on an upward trajectory in my career, I had a good season last year and now I’m producing performance levels in front of crowds’.”
“Now it’s about pushing him to be better and building on the attributes that delivered personal accolades last year and will continue to do so as long as he maintains those levels.”
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