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Paul Heckingbottom: 'Christian Doidge signing is statement of intent'

Paul Heckingbottom: 'Christian Doidge signing is statement of intent'
© Reuters
The striker has arrived on a three-year deal from Forest Green.

Paul Heckingbottom believes Hibernian have made a statement of intent with the signing of Forest Green striker Christian Doidge.

The Leith outfit have agreed an undisclosed fee for the 26-year-old who struck 66 goals in 122 games for the Sky Bet League Two outfit.

Heckingbottom's team of scouts spent months tracking the Welshman and the Easter Road boss is delighted to have beaten off a host of rival suitors to secure his signature on a three-year deal.

"We think Christian's signing is a real statement of intent and I'm delighted we were able to fend off other interested clubs to secure his signature," said Heckingbottom.

"The recruitment staff here have been looking at Christian for a while now and he's also someone who was on my radar.

"We think he's well suited to Scottish football, whether that's leading the line or working with a partner.

"Christian is intelligent, has good movement, scores different types of goals, can handle himself physically and will press well from the front.

"He gives us something different up top."

Doidge admits he cannot wait to get down to work after meeting his new team-mates for the first time.

And he believes Heckingbottom is the man to take his career to the next level.

He said: "I felt like I knew exactly what he wanted from me within 10 seconds. He's very clear in his instructions and I think it will really suit my game.

"I'm looking forward to working under him.

"I like getting after the ball with a high work-rate, making a nuisance of myself for defenders and playing off the shoulder. I like to attack crosses – just an all-round number nine, really."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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