Latest news with #Doig
Daily Record
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Josh Doig relishing McTominay and Gilmour Napoli battle as Scots thriving in Italy offers pathway for next top talents
The Scotland new boy - who made his debut against Liechtenstein - will back in the Serie A big time with Sassuolo next term Josh Doig can't wait to get back into Serie A to get a crack at Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour. The Scotland new boy, who made his debut against Liechtenstein on Monday, won't have to wait too long because newly-promoted Sassuolo will entertain the Italian champions at home on the opening day of the new Serie A season. Doig was with McTominay and Gilmour in the international squad and now he will face up to the title-winning pair on his return to the Italian top-flight. He said: 'I have just found out about Napoli. It will be our first game at home, so that will be a good one for us Scottish boys. 'It is a big game and the kind of match you want to play in. Scott and Billy will be coming to us.' Doig helped Sassuolo win Serie B and has been part of a massive success story for the Scots in Italy last season. The Napoli pair had their success while Lewis Ferguson also won the cup with Bologna. The full-back said: 'It's been some impact, the Scottish boys have made out in Italy. 'We seem to just go over and thrive, which is a good thing for us Scots, We've got a good name over there, obviously Scotty and Billy are big names. 'Che (Adams) is doing well, Liam (Henderson) and Fergie as well. So many Scottish players over there just now are making their mark. 'For young boys coming through, it's a place that you can look at and there's opportunities there. It's exciting times.' The pathway was all kicked off by the success of Aaron Hickey at Bologna. He also convinced Doig to get his passport out. He said: 'Hickey kicked it off. It seems to be a good market for them. When I first went over I spoke to Hickey. 'He said it's just such a different lifestyle altogether, but I'm loving it, absolutely loving it. I couldn't be happier over there.' Doig and Andy Irving could have made some unique Scottish football history when they made their national team debuts this week. The close friends both made their international bows together coming on in a double change in Monday's 4-0 win over Liechtenstein. The pair attended Newcraighall Primary School at the same time although Irving was a couple of years above. They were still close as their dads are best pals, having played football together with Edinburgh City. Doig said: 'It was just after half-time. Myself and Andy got the shout. It is funny because we are both really close. 'I grew up with Andy all the way through primary school and we have been pals for ages. 'It was Newcraighall Primary School. There are only about 100 people there, which is what makes it so crazy because it's so small. It's a nice story for the school, Andy and myself. 'Andy's two years older but we grew up together. His dad and my dad are best friends. They played together at Edinburgh City and stuff. 'I'm talking primary school to spending every New Year together, so it's just mental for us to come on and make our Scotland debuts at the same time. 'We were like, 'Oh my God.' We didn't know what to say. I'm buzzing for Andy and myself.' Doig has been in several Scotland squads previously and is delighted to have finally got that elusive cap. The former Hibs youngster said: 'I'm so happy, I can't put it into words. I am delighted. 'I was saying that to some of the boys, you never know if you're going to get on and obviously, I've been in a few squads. 'I'm just absolutely bursting with pride. We knew we had a job to do, obviously, but I was like, this is unbelievable. 'You just need to try and calm yourself down. I came on a 3-0 up, so it was a good time to come on. I just wanted to go and perform. 'I came out the blocks at 100mph. I was bursting with pride to just get on the pitch, finally, for my national team.' Doig's mum and dad missed his big afternoon with Steve Clarke's squad and had to watch the action unfold from their holiday resort but he has promised them his first shirt. He said: 'They are in Ibiza. They were at the Iceland game at Hampden and they already had the holidays booked. 'They didn't know if I would play or not and as I say they had this holiday booked. 'They were all watching it on television. My sister was there, everyone, so I am absolutely delighted. 'So they were celebrating on Monday night in Ibiza. I texted my mum and dad right after the game and they were delighted for me.' Doig's first international appearance caps off what has been a top season, having helped Sassuolo to the title and back into Serie A next season. The former Verona player said: 'It's been mad with the obvious ups and downs but to get promoted at the end of it and obviously to get capped now, it's just been such a good season for myself. 'As I have said, it's my first trophy that I have won with a team, so that's a first, and then obviously I have come here and got my first Scotland cap. 'I'm just bursting with pride to get it all done and obviously now I need to focus on next season. 'I am looking forward to going back to Sassuolo after our promotion back to Serie A. 'Doing well there next season will hopefully keep me in the Scotland squad. 'There are three camps to go this year so I obviously want to push to try and get in.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Josh Doig rekindles Celtic transfer interest as Kristoffer Ajer return route emerges
Kieran Tierney is only just in the door at Celtic Park but Brendan Rodgers is wasting no time targeting another left-back. The Hoops have bolstered their backline by clinching a sensational return for fans' favourite KT from Arsenal on a five-year deal. Advertisement Tierney, 28, will be one of the first names on Celtic's team sheet as the Scotland international rejoins his boyhood club at his prime. READ MORE: Lennon Miller cool on Celtic transfer interest as Sunderland join hunt for Motherwell sensation READ MORE: Celtic eye 'bargain transfer for 16 goal Sweden star' but face three way tussle However, the defender's injury record coupled with Greg Taylor's likely exit, means that Celts are in the market for cover. And multiple reports have suggested that the Scottish champions are set to revive their interest in ex-Hibs starlet Josh Doig. Doig, 23, left Easter Road for Serie A side Hellas Verona in a £3million transfer back in 2022 and instantly caught the eye in Italy. Advertisement After a dream switch to Marseille collapsed at the 11th hour, Doig joined Sassuolo for £5m in January 2024 but couldn't save the club from relegation. However, the full-back was a key figure in helping Sassuolo land promotion from Serie B at the first time of asking, making 31 appearances. Doig has been on Celtic's transfer radar since he first broke through at Hibs and now, it's claimed that the Double-winners are weighing up an offer. Ex-Celtic stopper Kristoffer Ajer -Credit:Getty Images Meanwhile former Treble hero Kristoffer Ajer has been told to find another club by Norway manager Stale Solbakken, according to Sky Sports. The towering stopper, 27, endured an injury-hit campaign for Brentford, starting just twice since the March international break. Advertisement Under contract until 2028, Ajer may feel he'll be given a clean slate by his next boss as Thomas Frank prepares to take over Tottenham. Ajer - who lifted nine major honours at Parkhead - left Celtic for the Bees in a £13.5m switch four years ago. The 43-times capped star made his big career breakthrough under Rodgers and his potential availability has set tongues wagging amongst the green-and-white faithful. Elsewhere, Record Sport understands Celtic are keeping close tabs on Lennon Miller's situation and were in contact with the Motherwell board in the last window. The Scotland new boy has been linked with a list of European clubs including Eintracht Frankfurt and Royal Union St Gilloise and the Steelman have already turfed out bids from Udinese and Gilloise. It's believed Celtic have also scouted Hearts' James Penrice, but won't necessarily pursue a deal for the left-back.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Josh Doig rekindles Celtic transfer interest as Kristoffer Ajer return route emerges
The former Hibs defender has been a long-term target for the Hoops Kieran Tierney is only just in the door at Celtic Park but Brendan Rodgers is wasting no time targeting another left-back. The Hoops have bolstered their backline by clinching a sensational return for fans' favourite KT from Arsenal on a five-year deal. Tierney, 28, will be one of the first names on Celtic's team sheet as the Scotland international rejoins his boyhood club at his prime. However, the defender's injury record coupled with Greg Taylor's likely exit, means that Celts are in the market for cover. And multiple reports have suggested that the Scottish champions are set to revive their interest in ex- Hibs starlet Josh Doig. Doig, 23, left Easter Road for Serie A side Hellas Verona in a £3million transfer back in 2022 and instantly caught the eye in Italy. After a dream switch to Marseille collapsed at the 11th hour, Doig joined Sassuolo for £5m in January 2024 but couldn't save the club from relegation. However, the full-back was a key figure in helping Sassuolo land promotion from Serie B at the first time of asking, making 31 appearances. Doig has been on Celtic's transfer radar since he first broke through at Hibs and now, it's claimed that the Double-winners are weighing up an offer. Meanwhile former Treble hero Kristoffer Ajer has been told to find another club by Norway manager Stale Solbakken, according to Sky Sports. The towering stopper, 27, endured an injury-hit campaign for Brentford, starting just twice since the March international break. Under contract until 2028, Ajer may feel he'll be given a clean slate by his next boss as Thomas Frank prepares to take over Tottenham. Ajer - who lifted nine major honours at Parkhead - left Celtic for the Bees in a £13.5m switch four years ago. The 43-times capped star made his big career breakthrough under Rodgers and his potential availability has set tongues wagging amongst the green-and-white faithful. Elsewhere, Record Sport understands Celtic are keeping close tabs on Lennon Miller's situation and were in contact with the Motherwell board in the last window. The Scotland new boy has been linked with a list of European clubs including Eintracht Frankfurt and Royal Union St Gilloise and the Steelman have already turfed out bids from Udinese and Gilloise. It's believed Celtic have also scouted Hearts' James Penrice, but won't necessarily pursue a deal for the left-back.
Scotsman
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'Perfect' Scotland debut for primary school friends whose dads played for same team - 'you couldn't write it'
From Edinburgh playground to senior Scotland debut in Vaduz Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... West Ham midfielder Andy Irving reflected on a 'perfect' Scotland debut after coming on at the same time as primary school friend Josh Doig. The pair were handed their introduction to international football when coming off the bench just before the hour mark in Monday's 4-0 friendly win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz. Both attended Newcraighall Primary School and then Portobello High School in Edinburgh and were on the books of Hearts before Doig ended up as a city rival with Hibernian. Their careers have since taken them on divergent routes, with Doig making a name for himself in Italy while Irving is now at West Ham after stints in Germany and Austria. But their paths met up again in memorable fashion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From left: Scotland's Josh Doig, Andy Irving and Kieron Bowie at Hampden. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group 'I loved it,' Irvine explained. 'Just over the moon, to be honest, to make my Scotland debut and get my first cap. I'm just absolutely delighted. It's just amazing. It's something that you dream of as a kid, playing for your country. Having played throughout the youth groups, I know how proud that made me feel. To make it for the national team, I'm just delighted. I'm just so happy. 'Me and Doigy coming on at the same time…Me and Doigy were at the same primary school, the same high school. Our dads are really good mates. They played at Edinburgh City together and stuff like that. 'Coming on with Doigy was perfect. Literally, mad, just mad. I'm two years older but we used to play when we were kids at primary school and whatnot. Growing up, he was at Hearts training with us and whatnot. You couldn't really write it, to be honest.' Irving spoke to Doig to mark the moment. ''How is this happening? We're both coming on at the same time.' I'm sure for him it's a dream come true, just like mine,' he added. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad West Ham's Andy Irving challanges Chelsea's Cole Palmer during a Premier League appearance in February. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Difficult times abroad Irving feels he is benefiting from the brave decision to move abroad at the age of 21. A transfer to Turkgucu Munchen turned sour when the club experienced serious financial difficulty and were declared insolvent in the middle of the season. He moved to Austria Klagenfurt and had two impressive seasons in the top flight while earning a move to West Ham. 'My career has maybe been a bit different to others and it's been hard at times, when I think back to my time in Germany,' he said. 'Realistically, it's only made me stronger and made me hungrier to succeed. 'I've worked very, very hard and put a lot into my football career. Going to Germany, going to Austria after Germany hadn't worked out, all that hard work, all those sacrifices have paid off. 'Those experiences were very difficult experiences, especially in Germany. It never went anywhere near how I planned or wanted it to go. It was a hard time. It made me really a lot more resilient, mentally stronger. I feel like those are the things that have pushed me on to this point now.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Irving made 11 appearances for West Ham last season and his Scotland debut will give him added motivation. 'I want to just keep playing football, first and foremost. I need to get back to doing that at a domestic point as well. Playing a lot more and playing more games,' he said. 'Obviously, the aim is to play for the Scottish national team as many times as I possibly can.
The National
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
Celtic 'interested' in Scotland left-back as Tierney cover
The left-back made his debut for Scotland on Monday in a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein. Doig replaced captain Andy Robertson for the last half-hour as he registered his maiden senior cap. Read more: Currently playing football in Italy with Sassuolo, the 23-year-old helped his side win promotion to the Serie A last season. Doig played 29 times in Serie B in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring one goal and assisting another. Now, Celtic are interested in a move for the left-back this summer, claims talkSport. With Greg Taylor set to join Greek side PAOK, Brendan Rodgers will need cover for the recently returned Kieran Tierney. James Penrice of Heart of Midlothian has also reportedly been scouted by the Scottish Premiership champions. Tierney penned a five-year deal at Parkhead on Tuesday after rejoining his boyhood heroes on a free transfer from Arsenal. "It was perfect timing for everybody," he told Celtic's YouTube channel. "It had been in the works before, but it wasn't able to happen. "This time, everything just fell into place. I spoke with the manager, obviously, I worked with him before, and I've always kept in touch with him. He's one of the best, and I'm so lucky and grateful that he's given me the chance to come back. "I'm a different person, 100 per cent. When you move away from home, you grow up, you learn different things. I was away in Spain for a year, I learned a different language, learned a different league, so I'm definitely a different person. Player-wise, I'll say, like I always say, I'll try and work my hardest and do my best for the club."
