Greg Docherty made his debut for Hull City at the weekend in a tense win over Sunderland, soon after suggesting he has unfinished business at Rangers.
While Scotland’s premier clubs are observing the international break, many English sides kicked off their season on Saturday in the EFL Cup.
Hull City travelled to the Stadium of Light for their first round clash and Docherty made the starting XI.
The 23-year-old sealed a move to the third tier English side for a reported £400,000 in August [FourFourTwo] after accepting he wasn’t a part of Steven Gerrard’s plans.
The bluenose has since refused to rule out a future return to Ibrox, though, insisting that it was his style of play, not a lack of ability, which ensured he didn’t receive playing opportunities.
He claimed that heading south after making only 20 appearances for his boyhood club ‘doesn’t sit well’ with him [Milngavie Herald].
For now, though, it’s all about getting minutes under his belt and advancing his reputation with good performances under new boss, Grant McCann.
Docherty started in midfield for the Tigers on Saturday alongside fellow new recruit Richard Smallwood and played the full 90 minutes.
The visitors struggled to create opportunities – only forcing opposition stopper Lee Burge into one save – but they held firm at the back in the face of considerable Sunderland pressure to register a clean sheet.
With the score 0-0 at full-time, the fixture went straight to penalties. Northern Ireland international Will Grigg missed the very first attempt and when all five Hull takers converted, they secured passage to the second round.
Docherty wasn’t one of the five spot kick-takers for McCann’s side but after failing to make a Rangers matchday squad since pre-season, he’ll no doubt have been pleased to get minutes under his belt in this tense first round fixture.
The former Ger is set to be in action again when Hull travel to Gillingham for their opening EFL League One fixture on Saturday, as they look to go about securing a return to the Championship at the first attempt.
