
Josh Doig relishing McTominay and Gilmour Napoli battle as Scots thriving in Italy offers pathway for next top talents
Josh Doig can't wait to get back into Serie A to get a crack at Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour.
The Scotland new boy, who made his debut against Liechtenstein on Monday, won't have to wait too long because newly-promoted Sassuolo will entertain the Italian champions at home on the opening day of the new Serie A season.
Doig was with McTominay and Gilmour in the international squad and now he will face up to the title-winning pair on his return to the Italian top-flight.
He said: 'I have just found out about Napoli. It will be our first game at home, so that will be a good one for us Scottish boys.
'It is a big game and the kind of match you want to play in. Scott and Billy will be coming to us.'
Doig helped Sassuolo win Serie B and has been part of a massive success story for the Scots in Italy last season.
The Napoli pair had their success while Lewis Ferguson also won the cup with Bologna.
The full-back said: 'It's been some impact, the Scottish boys have made out in Italy.
'We seem to just go over and thrive, which is a good thing for us Scots, We've got a good name over there, obviously Scotty and Billy are big names.
'Che (Adams) is doing well, Liam (Henderson) and Fergie as well. So many Scottish players over there just now are making their mark.
'For young boys coming through, it's a place that you can look at and there's opportunities there. It's exciting times.'
The pathway was all kicked off by the success of Aaron Hickey at Bologna. He also convinced Doig to get his passport out.
He said: 'Hickey kicked it off. It seems to be a good market for them. When I first went over I spoke to Hickey.
'He said it's just such a different lifestyle altogether, but I'm loving it, absolutely loving it. I couldn't be happier over there.'
Doig and Andy Irving could have made some unique Scottish football history when they made their national team debuts this week.
The close friends both made their international bows together coming on in a double change in Monday's 4-0 win over Liechtenstein.
The pair attended Newcraighall Primary School at the same time although Irving was a couple of years above.
They were still close as their dads are best pals, having played football together with Edinburgh City.
Doig said: 'It was just after half-time. Myself and Andy got the shout. It is funny because we are both really close.
'I grew up with Andy all the way through primary school and we have been pals for ages.
'It was Newcraighall Primary School. There are only about 100 people there, which is what makes it so crazy because it's so small. It's a nice story for the school, Andy and myself.
'Andy's two years older but we grew up together. His dad and my dad are best friends. They played together at Edinburgh City and stuff.
'I'm talking primary school to spending every New Year together, so it's just mental for us to come on and make our Scotland debuts at the same time.
'We were like, 'Oh my God.' We didn't know what to say. I'm buzzing for Andy and myself.'
Doig has been in several Scotland squads previously and is delighted to have finally got that elusive cap.
The former Hibs youngster said: 'I'm so happy, I can't put it into words. I am delighted.
'I was saying that to some of the boys, you never know if you're going to get on and obviously, I've been in a few squads.
'I'm just absolutely bursting with pride. We knew we had a job to do, obviously, but I was like, this is unbelievable.
'You just need to try and calm yourself down. I came on a 3-0 up, so it was a good time to come on. I just wanted to go and perform.
'I came out the blocks at 100mph. I was bursting with pride to just get on the pitch, finally, for my national team.'
Doig's mum and dad missed his big afternoon with Steve Clarke's squad and had to watch the action unfold from their holiday resort but he has promised them his first shirt.
He said: 'They are in Ibiza. They were at the Iceland game at Hampden and they already had the holidays booked.
'They didn't know if I would play or not and as I say they had this holiday booked.
'They were all watching it on television. My sister was there, everyone, so I am absolutely delighted.
'So they were celebrating on Monday night in Ibiza. I texted my mum and dad right after the game and they were delighted for me.'
Doig's first international appearance caps off what has been a top season, having helped Sassuolo to the title and back into Serie A next season.
The former Verona player said: 'It's been mad with the obvious ups and downs but to get promoted at the end of it and obviously to get capped now, it's just been such a good season for myself.
'As I have said, it's my first trophy that I have won with a team, so that's a first, and then obviously I have come here and got my first Scotland cap.
'I'm just bursting with pride to get it all done and obviously now I need to focus on next season.
'I am looking forward to going back to Sassuolo after our promotion back to Serie A.
'Doing well there next season will hopefully keep me in the Scotland squad.
'There are three camps to go this year so I obviously want to push to try and get in.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
5 minutes ago
- Daily Record
World media reacts as Rangers 'injustice' triggers spiteful Panathinaikos probe over an unforgivable error
There there things to work on for Russell Martin's new-look side but the former Scotland international is delighted with the result. You know it's been a successful night when you have the opposition's local media desperately seeking an intervention over a result they simply can't fathom. Were there things to work on for Russell Martin 's new-look Rangers side? Of course, but they have to work out the kinks after a rousing 2-0 win over Panathinaikos in the first leg of their Champions League second round qualifier at Ibrox. Giorgos Vagiannidis was sent off minutes after Findlay Curtis announced his arrival in light blue with the opener and that was followed up by jet-heeled Djeidi Gassama smashing home on his debut. It wasn't the perfect night with the visitors spurning a series of golden chances, however, Martin and his bold ideas were evident on night one. But no one was safe as one outlet attempted reverse psychology and Filip Djurisic, Vagiannidis and boss Rui Vitória, were all condemned over their role ahead of the return leg in Athens next week. Record Sport goes to Greece and beyond to see how others are viewing a thrilling night at Ibrox. Kathimerini (Greece) "The result does not do justice to the Greek team at all, with the visitors at Ibrox having major complaints from the referee who left them with 10 men early in the second half after a highly controversial second booking for Giorgos Vagiannidis. "Panathinaikos was by far the better team in the first 50 minutes of the game, missing several chances and even hitting the woodwork in the 9th minute with Facundo Pellistri. Somehow Rangers kept a clean sheet and only started asking questions at the Panathinaikos goal after the 35th minute. "Against the run of play the Scots took the lead with a well-balanced shot from a distance by Findlay Curtis. Giorgos Kyriakopoulos was denied a penalty despite getting kicked on the leg and a minute later Curtis powered the ball superbly into Bartlomiej Dragowski's net. "As if that had not been enough, Vagiannidis got his marching orders through a very harsh second yellow card, to leave Panathinaikos with 10 men for about 40 minutes. "That predictably led to the tipping of the game's balance to Rangers' favor, with the hosts scoring a second goal six minutes from time via Djeidi Gassama. "The Greens paid for wasting their chances. However the return leg on July 30 at the Olympic Stadium of Athens will be a completely different game." Sportime (Greece) "It's hard to understand how Panathinaikos lost this game. A match that should have been won in the first half. But at the start of the second half, the picture was similar, with Panathinaikos pressing. "Filip Djurisic is fatal, even more lethal than Giorgos Vayannidis. If we put them on the scale. The Serbian midfielder had clear chances to score. At least four, three of them classic. While in the 5th he takes a choice for no reason, for the home team to go on the counterattack and make it 1-0. "His worst moment, of course, was when he stole the ball, found himself alone against Butland and didn't even take a shot! "Vayannidis also had a bad day . He could have been sent off before the second yellow card, but the Lithuanian referee spared him, just as he did to Rangers. But the next time he gave him a card. "And defensively, the Greek defender wasn't good, losing Curtis in the 1-0 phase. Let's not talk about the diving phase.." A Bola (Portugal) "Rui Vitória, coach of Greek side Panathinaikos , had a less than happy first night in the UEFA Champions League , losing the first leg of the second qualifying round of the European competition 0-2 against Scottish side Rangers. Vagiannidis , a target for Sporting in this summer transfer window, was sent off in the 58th minute. "After the defeat, the 55-year-old Portuguese coach expressed confidence in the team's recovery and highlighted the team's strong performance up until Georgios Vagiannidis ' red card." Gavros (Greece) "Don't dare let Panathinaikos stay out of Europe. Not for Greek football, nor for the UEFA rankings. For us. For the laughs. For the show that this team consistently offers every year. "Is it possible for the "ambassador" to be missing from Europe? It's not possible! And of course we can't stop hearing the joke "Greece, Europe, Panathinaikos", which makes us cry with laughter every time! "Okay. Obviously, we don't care what Panathinaikos will do. We only care about the Legend moving forward, and that's what he's doing! But a little laugh with... our favourite team doesn't hurt!" Proto Thema (Greece) "Panathinaikos played its first official match of the new season at Ibrox Park, against Rangers for the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League . The "green" fans have been dynamic, but those who stood out with the "good morning" were the Scottish fans, who raised a banner depicting the Parthenon and reading, "obstacles become our path", while also presenting the figure of the Goddess Athena."


Daily Mirror
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Pau Alsina: JuniorGP World Championship star dies aged 17 following horror crash
Pau Alsina suffered severe injuries to his head after he was thrown from his bike at the MotorLand Aragón circuit, near Alcañiz, Spain, and doctors were unable to save the teenager A rising motorcycle star has died aged just 17 after a horror racing smash. Pau Alsina sustained head injuries when he was thrown from his bike. He died in hospital on Monday two days after the crasg, which happened during the JuniorGP World Championship at the MotorLand Aragón circuit, near Alcañiz, eastern Spain. Pau was rushed to a hospital in Zaragoza, where he underwent emergency surgery. Despite the swift medical intervention, the 17-year-old racing star died from his injuries. The teenager, from Sallent in Catalonia, began riding motorcycles aged three. He was one of the standout talents in the Estrella Galicia 0,0 team and had already started making a name for himself in this season's JuniorGP World Championship. Pau was ranked 13th in the overall standings and had scored points in every race except the first. He was also competing in the Italian CIV Moto3 Championship, where he sat in fourth place overall with two podium finishes to his name. He was among a new generation of Spanish riders tipped for greatness. Pau often said in interviews that his idols were the Márquez and Espargaró brothers. His team said in a statement: "Pau's commitment, energy, and always positive and warm attitude will remain with us forever. Rest in peace, Pau. We love you." The Sallent City Council held a day of mourning yesterday and a minute's silence in the youngster's memory. Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Márquez posted his condolences to Pau Alsina in an Instagram story, writing: "No words. How unfair life is. Rest in peace, Pau." The circumstances of the crash are not yet clear and remain under investigation. The tragic news comes just weeks after another Spanish rider, Borja Gómez from Murcia, of the Stock class, passed away following an accident while preparing for the previous race event as part of the circuit, in Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in France. Last year, a MotoGP star was airlifted to hospital after being involved in a 120mph crash during the Australian Grand Prix Sprint race. Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi hit the back of Spain's Maverick Vinales on the first corner at the Phillip Island circuit. The two riders both went flying off their bikes, with the incident described as a "massive crash" by the MotoGP commentator. But Vinales has been declared fit after the incident but Bezzecchi was airlifted to hospital in Melbourne to undergo a full checkup. Despite impacting at 120mph, Bezzecchi is understood not to have suffered any fractures or serious injuries.


Daily Record
36 minutes ago
- Daily Record
How Hearts made Alexandros Kyziridis offer he couldn't refuse as he reveals wife ordered his Stirling celebration
Kyziridis covered his face to hail his goal against Stirling Albion – on his wife's orders Alexandros Kyziridis admits Hearts made him an offer he couldn't refuse. The Greek winger delivered a tantalising taste of the trickery and attacking threat he aims to showcase to Tynecastle fans with a goal and assist in the 4-0 win against Stirling on Saturday. And the 24-year-old says it was just the starting point for his ambitions after jumping at the chance to seal a transfer to the Jambos. He said: 'When you have one offer from such a huge club, you cannot say no. I like Scottish football and the fans celebrate every game. This was what I was thinking about before I said yes to sign for Hearts. 'It was a very easy decision. Before I came, I was watching the games so I could see how the fans are, how the team are so I knew my new team-mates before I came. 'It was hard to learn the names. But now I know everyone. I had a little bit of a problem with the accent, but now I think I'm good and at least I can understand everything.' Kyziridis has signed a three-year deal after his contract with Slovak side MFK Zemplin Michalovce expired and he revealed former Jambo Takis Fyssas provided a glowing reference on what to expect in Edinburgh. His front-foot, attacking style thrilled the Hearts fans at Forthbank and Kyziridis is eager to build on his bright start when Hearts host Dumbarton on Tuesday night. He added: 'My agent spoke with Takis and he said I have to go to Hearts. I trust him and decided to take his advice. 'I could have scored more against Stirling, but that is OK, that is football, sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesn't. 'First of all, I'm happy because we won and we kept a clean sheet, so this is most important for our team. 'It was good to hear the fans reacting positively to me, it's very helpful. Kyziridis covered his face to hail his goal – on his wife's orders. He said: 'I had the feeling the day before the Stirling game I would score. 'I discussed with my wife what celebration should I do? She told me to do that celebration and because I scored, I will keep it.'