Rangers midfielder Greg Docherty admitted that he knew he had a fight on his hands to win a first-team place at Ibrox this season – and is confident that he’s a better player despite having barely featured in months for the Gers.
Docherty made his debut for Hibs yesterday after completing a loan move until the end of the season and thinks working with “top quality” players every day has helped him improve.
A season-long loan with Shrewsbury saw fans wanting Doc to get a chance this season but his last first-team run out came against East Fife in the League Cup in August, and thinks getting back playing will do him the “world of good.”
“I was prepared for it in the sense that I knew, despite getting those games under my belt, I was going to have a fight on my hands coming back up,” Docherty said after Hibs’ 2-2 draw with St. Mirren.
“I was prepared to do it and sit it out wait for an opportunity. It just so happens – and I think it has been well-documented – that the guys in my position have been really, really strong and it is a strong area of the park.
“Look, I’ve learned a lot though and I think I’ve actually improved being around some top quality players day in, day out in training. I think I learned a lot about myself also, but I’m feeling confident coming on the pitch and getting 40 minutes and it’ll do me the world of good.”
Docherty made six appearances this season before heading out on loan, with four of those coming in Europa League qualifying.
It seems unlikely that the former Scotland under-21 international has any long-term future at Ibrox and his spell at Hibs should give him a good chance to win a move elsewhere.
Playing regularly for Hibs will also let him, potentially, boost Rangers’ title hopes with good performances against Celtic then the sides meet before the end of the season.