Jack Ross has been hailed by Hibs hero Murdo MacLeod for reintroducing Josh Doig to the side despite the speculation about his future.
The teenage left-back has been heavily linked with a big-money move to England with the likes of Watford and Man City watching him closely.
It appeared to have turned his head as Ross left him out altogether from their opening Premiership clash with Motherwell.
He's since worked his way back into the fold however as the 19-year-old played 90 minutes of the 3-0 win over Ross County and delivered the cross for Kyle Magennis' header.
And former Hibs captain MacLeod, speaking to Sky Sports, has heaped praise on Ross for bringing him back into the side.
He said: “I think it is so important because these things can’t go on forever. You can’t just keep on leaving him out just because somebody wants to sign him.
"I think you just have got to make sure you have your best 11 on the pitch and I think the manager has managed to do that. It's given him a great lift.”
Doig has been a key player for Hibs since exploding onto the first-team scene last season and it seems like just a matter of time before he follows in Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney's footsteps by heading to England's Premier League.
MacLeod was asked if Doig has what it takes to play at that elite level, and his answer was emphatic.
“Of course he could. The way he played last season, he works so hard all the time," MacLeod went on.
"I think if the money is right they can go and sell him. But when you are a manager you try to get him back into the club and keep him at the club because money doesn’t mean too much just now.”
