Josh Doig has broken his silence on Rangers’ interest in his services earlier this year.
The former Hibs and Hellas Verona left-back was on the Ibrox club’s summer transfer shortlist as Rangers considered allowing Ridvan Yilmaz to leave.
Jefte had just arrived and speculation was running rampant that manager Philippe Clement was weighing up his options as other clubs showed interest in Yilmaz.
As it transpired, the Turkish full-back opted to stay in Glasgow while Doig remained with Sassuolo despite Marseille also appearing keen in taking him to Ligue 1.
The 22-year-old may not have joined the Light Blues, but he was aware of the noise surrounding his name as well as what would have been a significant move away from Serie B back to the Scottish football goldfish bowl.
And for Doig it was vital for his own sanity to keep his feet on the ground, his head out of the clouds and his mind fully focused on I Neroverdi.
“To be fair, after my first ever transfer window when there was loads of chat I kind of let it get to my head and stuff,” Doig said in an exclusive sit down with Rangers News.
“So I think after that I said to my agent and my dad that they can deal with it.
Josh Doig was ‘flattered’ by Rangers’ interest in him this summer
“I didn’t really want to hear anything unless the deal was done. Unless I needed to go and sign a paper I’m not really interested.
“Obviously my pals would speak about it and stuff but I don’t know how close it really got.
“I wouldn’t be able to sit and say (there were official transfer discussions), I’d be lying. So honestly, I don’t know. I do know there was talks and stuff, but I couldn’t sit and tell you, because I genuinely don’t know. I would just be lying.”
No matter where Doig plays his football in future in what will likely be a successful career, the Scot knows how massive Rangers are.
The Old Firm derby, Doig acknowledges, will always be one of the world’s biggest.
That is why, while it may not have come to fruition this year, Doig was still flattered to be considered by Gers.
But as an ambitious youngster, the ex-Hibs man explained why he made the switch to Italy in the first place and why that could potentially scupper any future move to Glasgow.
Why Doig moved to Serie A from Hibs despite Rangers speculation
“Was (Rangers speculation) flattering? 100%,” he said. “They’re massive teams obviously. Growing up, Rangers and Celtic, it’s the two biggest teams you could play for in Scotland. But for me, I feel like I’ve just got out of Scotland. I feel like I’m just newly away from all that.
“So even if I went back there, I’d be back in my house, be back with mum and dad. I’ve just got out and I’m broadening my horizons.
“Obviously I’m not saying that going to Rangers or Celtic would be a bad thing, but it’s just like I’ve got away from it. I just want to experience different places and I feel like football lets you do that.”
He added on the size of the club: “Celtic and Rangers, still for myself, it’s, ‘Wow’. Playing at Celtic Park or Ibrox is unbelievable, it’ll be hard to match their atmosphere. And the rivalry with Celtic and Rangers, Hearts and Hibs. For me, because I grew up there, there’s nothing bigger than that.
“You can’t get bigger than that, the feeling of it because, like I said, it’s so personal as well there’s family involved.
“They are such big teams but for me I saw (Aaron) Hickey move, I just felt like that would be myself because I’m an open guy. I like new cultures, new things. Playing abroad always tickled my fancy a bit.”
