Christian Doidge wants to work with new Hibs signing to realise shared ambition

Doidge hopes he and McNulty can create a partnership to achieve Euro 2020 dream

Christian Doidge believes he can build a goal-scoring partnership with Marc McNulty which can help both Hibs strikers realise their dream of international football.

Welshman Doidge admitted he has his eyes on this summer’s Euro 2020 finals having notched 15 goals so far this season for the Easter Road club, more than the combined total of the strikers in Ryan Giggs’ last Wales squad.

Doidge is determined to strengthen his claim for a call-up by continuing to bang them in for Hibs and insists he and McNulty - who won two Scotland caps during a first loan spell with the capital outfit last season - can be good for each other in the coming weeks.

Hibs striker Christian Doidge looks ahead to his side's match with BSC Glasgow. Picture: SNS

Playing in the Premiership has, Doidge believes, given him a higher profile than his days in League Two south of the border where, he conceded, he was unlikely to catch the eye of Welsh boss Giggs, one of his favourite players as a youngster.

“I always hoped that maybe they’d see I’d scored a lot of goals,” he said, “but I think being in Scotland, doing well against good sides is hopefully enough to get that opportunity.

“I was shown that graphic about Welsh strikers and it’s obviously a nice stat to see. There’s some great players on that list so to be on top is a good feeling. Hopefully Ryan Giggs has seen it. But I want to score more goals, keep pushing and help Hibs win.”

Marc McNulty and Christian Doidge - along with Scott Allan (centre) - prior to Wednesday's game with Rangers at Ibrox. Picture: SNS

Doidge admitted he’s dreamt of following in the footsteps of his boyhood heroes, saying: “In the attacking areas they’ve always been good. There’s Giggs, the manager, then John Hartson, Dean Saunders, Ian Rush, Craig Bellamy, some fantastic players who had great careers.

“Obviously as kids you look up to them. I was a Manchester United fan as a kid, Giggs was a legend and being a Welsh lad you want to get the Welshman on the back of your shirt, an idol growing up.

“It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, to be honest. I would be very proud as would my family, it would be unbelievable. There’s been a bit banter from Marc him saying he wants to get back into the Scotland squad.

“He got on a good run here and was rewarded with a Scotland call-up. I can only imagine how proud his family were and himself. It’s a great opportunity for him and hopefully we can build a partnership and we can have two international players up front - we can help each other.”

Marc McNulty has made two appearances for Scotland. Picture: SNS

Hibs fans will be backing Doidge and McNulty to get among the goals in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup clash with Lowland League side BSC Glasgow, but while agreeing it represents a “great opportunity” for a place in the last eight, the 27-year-old said: “Of course, on paper, the two teams are a lot different.

“But it’s going to be a tough game, they’re going to really be up for it. It’s a great opportunity for their players and with the magic of the cup anything can happen. They’ve probably got lads who have played at a higher level and fallen out of love with the game and are just playing with their friends now.

“When you’re playing with your friends and you’re enjoying it, you’re dangerous. So it’s going to be a tough game. Everyone in the changing room knows that.

“I think some of the lads know their players from years ago, so we know they’re going to be a good side and that we need to be fully focused and concentrated on getting a win.”