Hibs duo tipped for summer bids as John Collins makes transfer prediction

Former Hibs manager John Collins fears the club could lose their two brightest young talents this summer after their contribution to an impressive campaign in league and cup.

Hibs youngsters Josh Doig (left) and Ryan Porteous are expected to attract interest this summer. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

Both Ryan Porteous and Josh Doig have played starring roles this season as Hibs close in a third place finish in the Premiership having reached the semi-finals of both national cup competitions.

Porteous was the hero of Saturday's Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Motherwell, scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out after the 2-2 draw, as well as making a miraculous last-ditch tackle to stop Chris Long firing the visitors ahead in extra-time.

Millwall failed with a £1m bid for the 22-year-old in January and Collins expects the Easter Road club to receive further offers for the Scotland squad centre-back when the summer transfer window opens.

"He got into the Hibs team as a young boy in central defence," Collins said.

"He's had a lot of games, getting a lot of experience, and as young players, you get better as you go along, and the good ones learn from mistakes.

"He's made some silly mistakes going along, but all players do. The most important thing is I think he's getting better.

"He's got a terrific right foot, he switches the play, he's very competitive in the air, very few headers he loses in the 90 minutes.

"Every now and again he goes to ground too much, slides in, and I'd like to see if he can get that out of his game.

"But he's young, he's enthusiastic, and there were obviously a few English teams making offers for him in the window.

"I think it will be difficult for Hibs to hold onto him in the summer. He's at that age now he might fancy a move, but good for Hibs, he's came through the academy."

Collins also praised the manner in which Porteous stepped up to convert the crucial penalty which sent Hibs back to Hampden for third time this season.

"I think he showed great composure, great belief," he added. "As a big centre-half, most people think he'll step up and smash it but he just strolled up, inside foot and popped it in the bottom corner. He's had a very good season."

Doig, hailed by Collins as the "shining light" of Hibs' campaign, is reportedly on the radar of big clubs in England, including Leeds United and Leicester City, and while the former Hibs boss expects offers for the 18-year-old this summer, he stressed that his career would be best served by remaining at Easter Road, having recently signed a new long-term contract.

"I've got to talk about young Doig, the left-back," Collins told BBC Sportsound.

"From start to finish, up and down the full length of the pitch, what a shift he does for the team.

"Defensively he does his job, nobody gets past him, very few crosses come in, towards the end they did.

"A young player who came from Hearts academy to Hibs academy and he's been a terrific signing.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they get a decent offer for him in the summer.

"He's only 18. I don't think it's the right time for him to move on. Most important for him is he's getting 90 minutes every week and he's developing."

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