Hibs’ striker Christian Doidge is hoping to start today’s game against Livingston at the Tony Mararoni Arena and spending much of the opening game of the season on the bench following an injury picked up in training.
Jack Ross started with Martin Boyle partnering new signing Kevin Nisbet up front against Kilmarnock last Saturday as Hibs collected the three points which had them sitting on top of the table until Celtic’s victory over Hamilton.
Doidge, who was in prolific form last season when play was suspended came on as a substitute midway through the second-half and helped Hibs hold on for the victory and the Hibs’ fans are hoping he starts off in the same manner that he ended that campaign.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference Doidge said: “Ordinarily I’m not too badly affected by injuries but I came in, did all the conditioning work, was ready to go, then at the end of one session I got a slight knock and that set me back a couple of weeks.
“With the season coming, I tried to get back in time but was only fit enough for the bench last week. A full week of training has really helped me and I feel really fit and sharp. It’s just one of those things.”
The Welshman was quick to highlight the contribution of team mates Boyle whose first-half double secured the points new striking partner Nisbet who joined the club in the summer from Dunfermline and had a hand in Boyle’s opener.
He continued: “He (Boyle) did fantastic last weekend, he’s always a threat with his pace running in behind and is a really good finisher. He’s a massive player for us and we’re a better team with him in the line-up. He’s perfect for me – he gets crosses into the box, he’s attacking and does his shift defensively.
“It means a lot for Boyler to play for Hibernian and he would never let speculation affect his performances. That showed last week with the two goals. He’s a brilliant player for us and hopefully he scores 20 goals this year.
“I’ve been really impressed with Kev since he’s come in. He’s looked really good, a big, strong boy and he’s a real threat in front of goal.
“We played a small part of the game together and seemed to link up well, and what we’ve done in training has looked good.
“I like playing in a two but I don’t mind what formation we play – just whatever helps the team. There might be games when Kev plays up front on his own and I’m on the sideline, and vice-versa.
“If I was to look at my stats from last year then I did a lot better when I had a strike-partner up there with me. It just gives you more options in the box and you are able to move off other players. It does benefit me.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
