Lewis Stevenson reckons Josh Doig is a match for Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to physique and that well help him take Serie A by storm.
The Hibs defender is on the verge of joining Hellas Verona in a £3million deal, following in former Hearts star Aaron Hickey ’s footsteps in swapping the capital for Calcio. The Hibees are set to sign Croatian international Marijan Cabraja as a replacement.
Stevenson has watched Doig’s progress up close, acting as an Easter Road mentor to the young fullback. Not only does he believe Doig will adapt to life in Italy well, but he’ll thrive and kick-on again. Hickey made a £19million switch to English premier League side Brentford last week. And Stevenson can see Doig developing to the extent that he also earns himself a bigger move further down the line.
“Josh has potential to go to the top level," said Stevenson. "He is 6ft 3ins tall, he is fast and strong. Looking at him with his top off - without meaning to sound creepy - he looks like Cristiano Ronaldo. He's got that kind of physique. He is an athlete and that is half the battle nowadays. I don't think I have seen a better natural athlete than Josh and that stands him in good stead. He has been brilliant to work with at Hibs.
“I've given him little pointers here and there but he has done all the hard work himself. We have all been saying that, although he has got this move to Italy, we genuinely feel he could go from there and kick on again.”
Stevenson can still remember Doig’s debut in a pre-season friendly against Carlisle. He knew straight away that the Hibs kid had what it takes to make himself a force in the first team, but that he’s still the same character and didn't get the credit he was due last term.
“He came on against Carlisle back then and, straight away, it was clear he had something,' recalled the veteran,” said Stevenson. “He has kicked on from there. But he is still the same guy he was when he first came in at 16 or 17 years old to train with the first team a few times.
“I actually don't think Josh got the credit he deserved last season when I thought he had a better all-round season than the one before. 'It was maybe not as eye-catching as his first season but he is a great boy and he is someone I'd love to see go on and do well.”
“With me being injured that day against Carlisle, maybe it is me who got Josh where he is today! Maybe he'll give me a percentage of his wages! No, he is just a top guy and I can't praise him any more. Everyone here at Hibs wishes him all the best.”
Hickey’s move to Bologna has put Scotland at the forefront of Italian clubs’ minds when it comes to transfers. Lewis Ferguson is set to depart Aberdeen to join I Rossoblu and Stevenson believes Hickey taking the plunge has played a big part.
“Aaron has probably opened up a lot of doors,' he said. 'That is Lewis Ferguson getting linked with Bologna now as well. But if Aaron hadn't gone out there to Italy and done so well with Bologna then these other guys might not be getting these opportunities.
“Fair play to him for going out there and then kicking on. I don't see any reason why Josh can't do the same as Aaron. It's exciting times for Scottish football as our young players are being tracked by big clubs.”
After over 15 years in green and white, Stevenson is in with the bricks at Easter Road, But was he ever tempted to try his luck overseas?
“It would have been nice to try something different myself by going abroad,” he replied. “The older you get, the more you think what could have been, but I'm happy with the career I have had at Hibs. I will leave it to Josh to learn Italian. Fluent Leith is probably the best I'll do!”
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