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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
CCeltic440092286490
2RangersRangers430184295584
3Hearts412151391267
4Kilmarnock41124543255
5St Mirren41124449-547
6Dundee40044867-1941
Relegation Group
1Aberdeen44004650-447
2Hibernian42025158-745
3Motherwell42025557-243
4Ross County41123665-2934
5St Johnstone40132753-2632
RLivingston42022869-4124
 
First Phase
CCeltic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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