Hibs striker Christian Doidge refuses to set a goal target for the season

Player knows from experience how much pressure that can bring

Christian Doidge feels that he is now settled at Hibs

Hibs striker Christian Doidge has insisted he’s not going to put himself under pressure by revealing his goals target for the season.

The Welshman ended a long wait for his first Premiership goals for the Easter Road club by claiming seven in five matches but he’s learned from bitter experience not to go shouting his mouth off.

“When you’re a striker people just look at your goal tally at the end of the season,” said the 27-year-old.

“I’ve been quite good at that in my career and hopefully I will have another good tally at the end of this season and kick on.

“I have a target in my head, but I am never going to come out with it! I made that mistake my first season at Forest Green when I said I would score 20 goals.

“Luckily I did it because I didn’t start great that season but the closer I got, the more nervous I became.

“I have more experience now so I have learned not to get too far ahead of myself. It would be great to score that many goals in this league but it’s going to be hard.”

Doidge is enjoying his first taste of a winter break as Jack Ross’s squad prepare for the second half of the season on the Costa del Sol, twice daily training sessions scheduled with the stay wrapped up with a game against Dutch side Willem II on Friday.

But it will also give Ross and his players the opportunity to reflect on the past few months which, although Hibs sit sixth in the Premiership table, haven’t lived up to expectations.

We have been inconsistent,” admitted Doidge. “We do great against Hearts and then lose to Livingston and all the boys were really disappointed about that.

“It’s nice to have a couple of weeks to reflect on the season and then try and go again during the second part of the season.

“This is the first winter break I have had, they don’t do them in England and it’s nice.

“Now we have a training camp and hopefully we’ll have a good time with the lads and get some good training done.”

Hibs will return from Spain to face a tricky Scottish Cup tie against runaway Championship leaders Dundee United, a first taste of the competition for a number of Ross’s players but one which Doidge insisted they are all looking forward to.

He said: “It’s going to be difficult. They’re doing well this season and it’s going to be hostile so that will be enjoyable. But we’re looking forward to it as a team.

“When I was at Dagenham and Redbridge early on in my career we managed to play Everton in the FA Cup at Goodison Park and that was nice.”