Jack Ross gives Hibs transfer update on Aiden McGeady and Amos Youga as he hails hat-trick hero Christian Doidge

Welshman hit second-half hat-trick but reinforcements are still needed, says boss
Hibs striker Christian Doidge celebrates scoring his third goal in Hibs 4-2 Scottish Cup win over Dundee United. Pic: SNSHibs striker Christian Doidge celebrates scoring his third goal in Hibs 4-2 Scottish Cup win over Dundee United. Pic: SNS
Hibs striker Christian Doidge celebrates scoring his third goal in Hibs 4-2 Scottish Cup win over Dundee United. Pic: SNS

Easter Road boss Jack Ross has backed Christain Doidge to keep banging in the goals after watching the striker claim a Scottish Cup hat-trick as Hibs downed Dundee United.

Doidge’s second-half salvo took his tally for the season to 14 and fired the capital club into a fifth round tie against Lowland League side BSC Glasgow.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The former Forest Green Rovers hitman had also been on target in the 2-2 draw between the clubs at Tannadice which forced last night’s replay, Doidge finally sealing the win in the final minute.

Lawrence Shankland had put United ahead but Scott Allan scored from the penalty spot against his old club before Doidge put Hibs ahead only for substitute Adrian Sporle to haul the Tayside club level with first toiuch of the ball.

But Doidge restored Hibs lead and finally settled the match with his third goal in the final minute of what had been a pulsating game.

Doidge endured a miserable start to his career in Edinburgh, scoring just twice in his first 15 matches following his £350,000 summer move but head coach Ross said “I can’t comment on anything prior to November But his all round play has been good, great player to work with, terrific personality, very unselfish.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Christian has been terrific since I came to the club. His scoring return over two and a half months has been excellent. He will miss opportunities. But he gets a lot of chances.

“I believe he will continue to score regularly. If he does that ,he will end up with a very healthy total, more than justifying the decision to bring him to the club.”

But as happy as Ross was with Doidge’s contribution, he was delighted to have seen his side overcome a potentially tricky tie.

He said: “I was really pleased to progress, I spoke before the first game and this replay of us having one of the most difficult draws out of the Premiership clubs so we had to play well over the two games and I think we did.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think we played well at Tannadice and again tonight. It may be could have been easier in terms of the opportunities we created over the course of the two games but to score four in the game and participate in a good, open, exciting game. I was delighted to progress.”

Ross admitted he was frustrated at seeing a number of first-half chances opportunities, but said: “That’s one of your emotions and I think the players were because of the chances created but not taken so it was a case of reinforcing to the players that if they kept doing that they would win the game.

“The frustration can be very evident because you are not ahead but it’s encouraging them to trust in what they were doing and I think they understood that.”

Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, who is expected to leave Ross’ old club Sunderland before the transfer window shuts was in the crowd, but the Hibs boss said: ‘I didn’t know. He never asked me for a ticket so he must have other contacts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We try to prioritise other positions but he’s a player who was very productive for me. Nice of him to come along. Nice of him to drop me a message, as well.”

Talks to bring St Mirren defender Paul McGinn to Easter Road are continuing, but Ross dismissed any interest in French midfielder Amos Youga.

“That’s a definite no,” he said of the Le Havre player. “I had no idea who he was until I saw that.