Hibs star Christian Doidge targets Europa League and Wales call

Newport-born Doidge, who was raised in Cwmbran, has scored 11 goals in his past 17 league games for Scottish Premiership side Hibernian.

His form has also helped Jack Ross' side to a Scottish Cup semi-final with Edinburgh rivals Hearts in April.

And Doidge says he's targeting Europa League qualification with Hibs this season, while keeping one eye on the phone in case Giggs gets in touch.

“You dream about playing for Wales as a kid, but never in your wildest dreams do you think that people would be talking about,” said the 27-year-old.

“That was one of the reasons I came up the road to Hibernian – to get the coverage but ultimately score at a high level so they might consider me.

"It would be an unbelievable feeling – my friends at the moment are speaking to me all the time about it.

“And my mum, dad and little brother would be extremely proud.”

Doidge’s recent success in Scotland is a far cry from his struggles north of the border after his move from Forest Green Rovers last summer.

The former Cwmbran Celtic and Croesyceiliog front man endured a slow start, failing to score in his first nine Scottish Premiership matches.

And that proved very costly for head coach Paul Heckingbottom, who lost his job in November and was replaced by former Sunderland boss Ross.

“I was devastated when Paul left,” said Doidge.

“I felt like I'd let him down and probably didn't do my job. My performances were quite good, but as a striker, sometimes that happens.

“I like to think I've got a good relationship with Paul and Robbie Stockdale. I've had a couple of texts off Robbie since and he's been really supportive. I can't worry about it now; I've got a job to do."

His goal drought came to an end in the first game following Heckingbottom's sacking, bagging a hat-trick in a 4-1 crushing of St Johnstone and Doidge has not looked back since.

“It was like the shackles came off,” he told BBC Scotland.

“I definitely did get some lucky ones, but that's about perseverance when things aren't going well and it was my time to get a bit of luck.

“I haven't scored any from far out yet, but that's just never been my style.”

Wales host Austria in Swansea on March 27 and the USA in Cardiff on March 30 as they step up preparations for Euro 2020.

And, asked about Doidge’s form, Giggs told clwbpeldroed.org: “He’s someone who I looked at actually 18 months ago.

“I went to watch him at Bolton and he came on with 10 minutes to go, which has been the case a lot of times.

“He’s someone who, obviously, is scoring goals. He was at Forest Green, Bolton and started in the Welsh leagues.

“When you have a goalscorer, it doesn’t matter what level, they know where the back of the net is.

“He’s someone who we’re looking at closely over the next few weeks, obviously with the games coming up.”

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