Josh Doig reacts as youngster among two Hibs players called up to Scotland U21s

Josh Doig hopes pulling on the Scotland shirt will go some way to start his recovery from the disappointment of Hibs’ Scottish Cup final defeat to St Johnstone.

The young left-back has had an incredible season establishing himself in the Easter Road first team and being named Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year.

Though he couldn’t add any silverware to Hibs’ third-placed season – he has rounded off the campaign with a Scotland call-up for Scot Gemmill’s under-21 squad against Northern Ireland next month.

Doig is joined by incoming Hibee Daniel Mackay from Inverness in the 24-man squad for two games which will kick-off preparations for the European CHampionship qualifiers beginning in September.

And while clearly still smarting from the weekend defeat at Hampden, the defender is seeking to kick on from this season - beginning with the national team camp next month.

He tweeted: “It'll take a long time to get over the disappointment of Saturday but I want to learn from every experience - good and bad.

“Proud to get a first call-up for the @ScotlandNT Under-21s. I think it's everyone's dream to pull on that shirt.”

Hibs passed their congratulations on to the duo via social media and Mackay and Doig will be joined by SIX Rangers players plus other youngsters from across the UK and beyond – from Inverness to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Hibs Josh Doig pre-match during the Scottish Cup final match between Hibernian and St Johnstone at Hampden Park, on May 22, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Broughton High Performance school graduate Zak Rudden is also in the squad while Athletic Bilbao striker Ewan Urain has been handed his first call-up for the two games in Dumbarton on June 2 and June 5.

The squad list is: Scott Banks (Crystal Palace), Kieron Bowie (Fulham), Jack Burroughs (Coventry City), Logan Chalmers (Dundee United), Tom Clayton (Liverpool), Robbie Deas (Inverness CT), Josh Doig (Hibernian), Ethan Erhahon (St Mirren), Lewis Fiorini (NAC Breda), Cameron Harper (Inverness CT), Kyle Joseph (Wigan Athletic), Stephen Kelly (Rangers), Brian Kinnear (Rangers), Roddy MacGregor (Inverness CT), Daniel Mackay (Inverness CT), Archie Mair (Norwich City), Lewis Mayo (Rangers), Josh McPake (Rangers), Glenn Middleton (St Johnstone on loan from Rangers), Zak Rudden (Partick Thistle), Cieran Slicker (Manchester City), Ewan Urain (Athletic Bilbao), Stephen Welsh (Celtic), Ben Williamson (Rangers).

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