Lee Johnson is convinced Josh Doig can make a success of his impending move to Italy after confirming Hibernian have accepted an offer for the defender from Hellas Verona.
Johnson marked his competitive debut as manager with a satisfying home victory over Clyde in the Premier Sports Cup but had to do it without Doig, who was left at home as a precaution ahead of talks with the Serie A side in the coming days.
The 20-year-old was not missed on this occasion as a hat-trick from Christian Doidge and goals from Elias Melkersen and Josh Campbell shot the Easter Road hosts into a five-goal lead before half-time.
The second-half was largely a non-event, besides debuts for new signings Aiden McGeady, Kyle McClelland and Lewis Miller, as well as for Dylan Tait, who was signed last August. They joined starters David Marshall and Nohan Kenneh in making their bows in green and white and helped ensure it was a comfortable afternoon’s work for the Premiership outfit.
Johnson’s recruitment will now turn to a new left-back, however, as Doig prepares to depart for pastures new with a ringing endorsement from his current new boss.
“It was probably too big a risk for him to play with the transfer close,” explained Johnson of the youngster’s omission. “It is at a point where we have accepted a bid and the player has to go across to Italy and discuss personal terms.
“It could easily fall down, if it does we will welcome him back with open arms. If not, we need to make sure that we utilise any available funds well and also congratulate him.
“He is a good young player. He has a lot fo things to wok on but who hasn’t at 20? He is a bionic athlete, physically a real powerhouse.Obviously that is what stands out more than anything.
“He is a good guy with a good growth mindset. A good student and I think it will be great for him. The Italian game is very defensive, very organised, a lot fo drilling and I think that is the sort of thing that can take him to a new level, obviously in a good league too.”
With much of the chatter surrounding Hibs’ raft of debutants, and of the unavailability of Elie Youan and Jair Tavares because of work permit delays, it was an old favourite who did most to ensure Johnson’s reign got off to a flier.
Doidge has been linked with a move to join former manager Jack Ross at Dundee United this summer amidst suggestions Johnson has told him he will not stand in his way should he want to depart. However, there were three good reasons here why Doidge may flourish in Johnson’s side, one that is full of attacking intent.
“He got his chance to start the game and like all the players he was excellent,” said Johnson. “He has been great, personality wise and the application in training.
“As a manager they are all your kids and you try to look after them all in exactly the same way.”
There were just 15 minutes gone when Hibs broke Clyde’s early resistance. Melkersen, playing on the right of a front three, raced up the touchline before his cross looped over visiting keeper Neil Parry with a huge deflection. Doidge was lurking with intent at the back post and bundled the spinning ball in with his chest from close range.
Melkersen then added a second seven minutes later when he showed quick feet to engineer space after a Campbell pass and flashed a low show into the net.
Two goals inside a minute completed Doidge’s treble. First, Jake Doyle-Hayes hustled and bustled his way forward before slipping a superb through ball into the path of Doidge, who lifted his shot deftly over Parry.
Then, almost straight from the kick-off, Hibs’ high press will have pleased Johnson as they quickly won the ball back and poured forward on the front foot. Chris Cadden picked out Doidge and the Welshman fluffed his first attempt before spearing his shot beyond Parry from 10 yards out.
Hibs completed their scoring and ensured a low-key second-half with a fifth just before the break when Campbell’s effort from the left of the box was deflected past Parry.
“It was a good game, to start with that relentless tempo was pleasing,” added Johnson. “We kept trying to pepper the opposition’s back line and the lads were good.
“Our tempo ran out second half, no doubt about that. Maybe we got a little bit bored of doing the right things but a 5-0 win against sticky opposition is good.
“There are a lot of red flags that I will have to go back and correct with my staff but five goals, and the fans can see the intent in how we want to play.”
