Lewis Stevenson wants Josh Doig to bag a big-money transfer AND stay at Hibs.
Doig is in demand with Watford and Arsenal linked to making £4million moves for the teenage sensation.
But Stevenson wants him to continue learning his trade in Edinburgh for another season – even though Doig ousted him from Jack Ross’ starting side as Hibees finished in third place in the Premiership.
He reckons it would be perfect if an English Premier League admirer clinched a deal for Doig then loaned him back for 2021-22.
Stevenson said: “The sky’s the limit for Josh –he’s got loads of great attributes. He’s only 19 and played a lot of games last season at a high level, which is magnificent.
“He still has things to learn, though, and Hibs is a good place to do that.
“He’s still not played in front of fans, remember, and experienced what that’s like, so hopefully we can hold on to him for a bit longer.
“In an ideal world, he’d get bought and loaned back to keep learning here.
“Staying on to play more games would help him in the long term. But I can see why people want to move when their stock is high because you never know what’s round the corner in football.
“Hopefully he’ll be with us, build on last year and help us have another successful season.”
Doig hailed the amazing support given to him by Stevenson in his breakthrough year, even though he nabbed the 33-year-old’s full-back berth.
That’s a mentoring job Stevenson is content to take on again if it means Hibs benefit from another season of Doig’s sensational performances.
“Look, he’s miles better than I was at that age,” said Stevenson. “If there are little things I can help him with then I’m happy to do that.
“He’s helped me as well and pushed me on. When I did play last season I played better than the year before.
“We’ve a great relationship. He’s so level-headed and still did jobs the apprentices do. I think he was still cleaning my boots even though he was playing ahead of me at the weekend!
“He’s big, quick, good on the ball and when he was younger he played in the attacking positions, so he has everything. I still think he could do another season here and see where that takes him. Josh is a great boy and will go on to have a massive career whatever happens.”
Stevenson stepped in as substitute for Doig with 15 minutes left of the Scottish Cup Final defeat to St Johnstone.
As he prepares for his 16th full season in the Hibs first team, Stevenson admits that Hampden loss continues to hit him hard.
He said: “The Scottish Cup Final defeat kind of overshadowed how well we did in the league.
“It feels like a missed opportunity but St Johnstone deserved it on the day. I think the disappointment is going to linger on a bit longer.
“At this stage of my career, you know these things don’t come around very often.”
The Hanlon Stevenson Foundation have donated four defibrillators to youth clubs – Leith Athletic, Hutchison Vale, Salvesen and Street Soccer Scotland.
Stevenson and Paul Hanlon were on hand at World of Football in Edinburgh to make the presentation.
