Celtic spent the summer desperate to find a left-back to compete with Greg Taylor for his starting spot.
The Scotland cap, 27, has been the Hoops’ top man in his position since making it his own under Ange Postecoglou.
Brendan Rodgers did, however, make it clear that he wanted to challenge the full-back by providing stiff competition for the position and that’s where Barcelona youngster Alex Valle came in.
But before the talented Spaniard arrived there was talk of a homegrown talent being brought back to the Scottish Premiership from his time in Serie A – then Serie B – with Sassuolo.
Former Hibs man Josh Doig put Celts on transfer alert following relegation at the end of last year as other clubs, including Marseille and Rangers, were also credited with interest in his services.
However, in a sit down with 67 Hail Hail, Doig explained how he was never made aware of any concrete discussions with the Scottish champions.
I didn’t hear anything, to be fair,” Doig said when specifically asked about Celtic’s interest. “Maybe my agent (did) but I’ve not heard anything. He doesn’t tell me anything. I keep away for all that.
“Because of my first transfer window I let it get to my head. I was 18 and was thinking, ‘My God, this is amazing’.
I was on Twitter every day looking at everything. So after that was thinking I need to stop. So I don’t look at Twitter. I don’t look at anything.
“I only hear something if my pals text me like, ‘You’re going there apparently.’ And I’ll be like, I’ve not heard anything, so it’s not happening!
Josh Doig was ‘flattered’ to be linked with Celtic previously
“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.”
Parkhead may never have been a serious option for the 22-year-old despite purported interest, but that didn’t prevent the player from acknowledging the size of the club.
And as well as across the city at Ibrox and interest there, Doig nodded to the Glasgow derby being one of the biggest in world football.
The Scotland under-21s star did, however, explain why a move to Celtic might never come to fruition as he switched abroad for a reason.
“Was (Celtic speculation) flattering? 100%,” he added. “They’re massive teams. Growing up, Celtic or Rangers 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.
Why a move to Celtic may never come for Doig who plays in Serie A
“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.”
On playing in Glasgow while at Hibs, Doig added: “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.
