The Hibees face Dundee United away on Boxing Day, in what is our last game of the calendar year.
Doig has been working with our new manager less than a week, but believes he, and his teammates, are already reaping the rewards from his sessions.
“It’s been brilliant. He’s only had two days on the training pitch with us, I’ve been with him for both the days, and it’s felt like there’s a new urgency, a sharpness and an intensity. It’s a breath of fresh air and it’s been really enjoyable.
“His coaching staff are all great guys and have a vision of what they wanted to do.
“Like I said, it’s only been two short days, but I think we put what he wanted onto the pitch, and we got a win from it, which is positive.”
After just two days on the training pitch with Maloney, the lads were then tasked with implementing elements of the new style against Aberdeen.
A second half header from Ryan Porteous earned us all three points and gave the players further belief in what they’re trying to do.
“The style of play was definitely new for myself and I’m still learning every day. I’m still a young boy, so I need to be concentrating because you can’t switch off in any moment.
“When you go 1-0 up the defensive side becomes even more important. I obviously enjoy going forward in that left wing-back position, but we need to win a game. Paul Hanlon, Porto, Paul McGinn, they’re all so good at pulling me and Cadds in when our new focus is to get forward.
“The communication against Aberdeen was brilliant everyone has a part to play, and we did it well. Something definitely worked.”
The biggest change for Josh in the new system is his license to express himself.
“We’ve got a very attack-minded manager, which is brilliant for myself in that wing-back position. I have a freedom to get forward, which is what he said to me ‘just go and play your stuff, get forward and try and create as many chances as you can’.
“I definitely enjoyed the game against Aberdeen. First half I didn’t get the ball as much as I wanted, but second half I dropped a little deeper to get the ball. I enjoyed the style of play.”
After resting the day after Aberdeen, the hard work continues for Doig and his teammates. They will be in on the training pitches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to prepare for Dundee United.
This will be Josh’s second experience of Boxing Day football and it’s a game he’s really looking forward to.
“It’ll definitely be a hungry game for both teams as we’re pushing for a top four spot. If we believe in what we do, then we have a chance to get that win.
“We’re in Christmas Day and then playing Boxing Day, which makes it even more enjoyable. We’ll go in for training, then see the family, then we’ll be looking forward to the game the next day.”
