Christian Doidge reveals Hibs 'love' as reborn striker sets sights on Luzern and insists he has no reason to leave

Christian Doidge looked set to be packing his bags just a month ago after Lee Johnson admitted a handful of clubs were offering the Welshman a route out of Hibs. Four weeks on and he’s on his travels alright - but as the Easter Road club’s number one hitman as they look to prolong their European adventure.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the 30-year-old after spending last season on loan at Kilmarnock. But Doidge insists he was never looking to get out of dodge. Now in his fifth season in Leith the striker has struck twice after starting the last two games and looked back to his old self in a physical battle with St Mirren on Sunday where he scored one and set up the other in a 3-2 defeat.

He looks set to get the nod again on Thursday when Luzern visit for the first leg of their Conference League qualifier on Thursday with new signing Dylan Vente still waiting to be registered. And the former Bolton and Forest Green striker expects to be around for a while yet. He said: “I do. I’ve really enjoyed being back. I love playing for this football club.

“I’ve obviously started the first league game and played 45 minutes and 90 minutes in Europe, so I don’t think there’s any reason to leave, to be honest. I’ve still got plenty to do. I want to prove a lot of people wrong every single day I’m training or playing.

“I’m just trying to play well and help Hibs to be as good as they can be. Hopefully the goals are the start of a run. I’ve been extremely streaky in my career. So hopefully this is the start of a run where I can help Hibs win games.”

That starts on Thursday as Hibs look to cement a first leg lead to take to Switzerland after burying their humiliating defeat to Inter Escaldes in Andorra with a 6-1 second