Reported Arsenal and Leeds United target Josh Doig should think very carefully about making a summer move to the Premier League, Hibernian captain David Gray told Edinburgh News.
With a whole host of clubs south of the border queuing up to sign the talented left-back, Doig could do a lot worse than to listen to his team-mate’s advice.
Gray, after all, failed to make a single first-team appearance during six years at Manchester United at the start of his career and knows all-too well the potential pitfalls that comes with joining one of the biggest teams in the British game.
According to The Scottish Sun (16 March, page 76), Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are all keen on the £1.5 million-rated Doig following his superb breakthrough season at Easter Road.
But, as Gray is keen to point out, the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere.
At the age of 18, Doig is already one of the first name on Hibernian’s team sheet and it is hard to see him securing a similar role at a bonafide Premier League giant.
“I think if the opportunity comes, it’s because they are doing something very right at the minute,” said the Hibs skipper when asked about Doig’s future.
“Sometimes an opportunity comes up that’s sometimes too good to turn down but, at the same time, the most important thing is that you need to play.
“My advice would always be that if everything in the move is right for you, are you going to get game time?
“It’s the most enjoyable thing. You’ll get more out of it if you’re playing.”
Gray did admit that John McGinn, another former Hibernian youngster, has gone from strength to strength at Aston Villa, though it has to be said that the Scotland international was an established 23-year-old player when he bid farewell to life in Edinburgh.
Doig, in contrast, has just 30 first-team appearances on his CV.
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