In a frantic search for a left-back to challenge Greg Taylor for his starting position, Celtic spent the summer.
Since taking over his role under Ange Postecoglou, the 27-year-old Scotland cap has been the team’s best player.
However, Brendan Rodgers made it apparent that he intended to challenge the full-back by offering fierce competition for the position, which is how Alex Valle, a young player from Barcelona, came in.
A homegrown talent from his time in Serie A, then Serie B, with Sassuolo was said to be returning to the Scottish Premiership prior to the arrival of the gifted Spaniard.
Josh Doig, a former Hibs player, put Celts on transfer alert after they were relegated at the end of the previous season. Marseille and Rangers were reportedly interested in hiring him.
But in an interview with 67 Hail Hail, Doig revealed that he was never informed of any specific conversations with the Scottish champions.
Doig responded, “To be fair, I didn’t hear anything,” when pressed directly about Celtic’s interest. “I haven’t heard anything, but perhaps my agent did. I don’t hear anything from him. For all of that, I stay away.
“I let it get to me because of my first transfer window.” When I was eighteen, I thought, “My God, this is incredible.”
“I looked at everything on Twitter every day. After that, I thought I should stop. I therefore avoid looking at Twitter. Nothing catches my attention.
Only when my friends text me and say, ‘You’re heading there evidently,’ do I hear anything. And because I haven’t heard anything, I’ll say that it’s not occurring.
Josh Doig was “flattered” to have been connected to Celtic before.
“Until the sale was finalised, I really didn’t want to hear anything. I’m not really interested unless I have to go sign a document.
The 22-year-old acknowledged the size of the club even if Parkhead may never have been a viable possibility for him despite rumours of interest.
Doig acknowledged that the Glasgow derby is among the biggest in international football, in addition to the attention that exists at Ibrox across the city.
The Scotland under-21s star did, however, clarify why he chose to travel overseas and why a transfer to Celtic might never materialise.
Was the Celtic rumour flattering? “100%,” he continued. “They are enormous squads. Growing up, the two largest teams in Scotland that you could play for were Celtic and Rangers. However, I feel as though I’ve just left Scotland. I feel as though I’ve just recently left all of that behind.
Therefore, even if I returned there, I would still remain at home with my parents. I recently left and am expanding my horizons.
Why Doig, a Serie A player, might never be able to join to Celtic
“Obviously, I’m not suggesting that attending Rangers or Celtic would be detrimental, but I feel like I’ve escaped it.” All I want is to travel to new locations, and I think football allows you to achieve that.
“Celtic and Rangers, still for me, it’s ‘Wow,'” Doig continued while discussing his time playing in Glasgow while at Hibs.
It will be difficult to match the atmosphere at Celtic Park or Ibrox, where performances are truly amazing. And the rivalry between Hearts and Hibs, Celtic and Rangers. Nothing is more significant to me because I grew up there.
It’s so intimate, and there are family members involved, so you can’t get any more than that emotion.
“Even though they are such large organisations, I believed that Aaron Hickey’s move would fit me because I’m an open man. I enjoy trying new things and civilisations. Playing overseas always piqued my interest.
