by Callum Ellis
HE may not be a name that is familiar among many Wales supporters but Christian Doidge is certainly making a strong case for a call-up to Ryan Giggs’ squad.
The Hibernian striker has been in red-hot form with the Scottish Premiership side this season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions.
And Doidge will no doubt have caught the eye of Wales boss Giggs ahead of the European Championships this summer.
The 27-year-old is the most in-form Welshman in front of goal this term, leading the likes of Kieffer Moore, Tom Bradshaw, Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes in the goalscoring charts.
It has been a remarkable rise for Doidge who was playing in the top-flight of Welsh football with Carmarthen Town six years ago.
Doidge won the Welsh League Cup twice during his stint with the Old Gold, before spells with Dagenham & Redbridge, Dartford, Forest Green and Bolton Wanderers followed.
He joined Hibs in the summer and has continued to get the Easter Road crowd on their feet this season, which has led to fans calling for Giggs to take note of the Newport-born striker – with some even suggesting he could make the plane to Euro 2020.
Christian Doidge has now scored more club goals this season (14) than all of the forwards in the last Wales squad combined
Sam Vokes (5)
Gareth Bale (3)
Kieffer Moore (2)
Rabbi Matondo (1)
Tyler Roberts (1)Get on the 📞 Giggsy @FAWales
— Hibs Central (@HibsCentral) January 29, 2020
Giggs HAS to give Doidge a look in for the March friendlies
— Mike Knowles (@themikeknowles) January 28, 2020
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Giggs have a look at him in the warm up friendlies. It would be an amazing story for the Welsh domestic system if Doidge made it into the final squad https://t.co/mzzRrBEbX1
— Richard Taylor (@RichLido) December 16, 2019
Get Chris Doidge in the wales squad!
— Drewba 🏴 (@Drew_Ba) January 29, 2020
But places on the plane are, however, limited and Doidge faces competition from some of Wales’ more senior figures, leaving Giggs with plenty to ponder over when it comes to choosing his 23-man squad for this summer’s tournament.
After making his debut in a friendly against Belarus in September, Wigan Athletic striker Kieffer Moore made a crucial impact in Wales’ qualifying campaign. He has netted twice during his four competitive appearances and led the line well for Giggs’ men when called upon.
While Euro 2016 hero Hal Robson-Kanu has enjoyed a positive start to the campaign with West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies striker – who called time on his Wales career in August 2017 – has reversed his decision to retire from international football and will be available for selection.
The 64-capped Sam Vokes, another hero of Wales’ journey to the semi-finals four years ago, is also in contention for a place on the plane, although he has found game time difficult to come by under Giggs.
But Wales’ upcoming friendlies against Austria and the United States of America next month will provide Giggs with chances to experiment, which could see the 46-year-old hand Doidge an opportunity to impress.
Should he continue his goalscoring exploits this season, it would be difficult for the former Manchester United winger to ignore him.
