How Greg Docherty has become Hibs’ most influential player - Jack Ross' prescient words, all-round qualities and verticality

Greg Docherty signalled his intent early on at Hibs. Thirty seconds after appearing as a second-half substitute in the home draw with St Mirren earlier this month he gave an indication of what type of player Jack Ross had signed and what was to come.

Spotting an opportunity to advance into the final third, the 23-year-old shouted across at Stephane Omeonga (IMAGE 1) to give him orders to cover. He then took a pass from Scott Allan and played it forward.

In a way that brief intro encapsulated the qualities and influence Docherty has brought to the Hibs midfield.

When the transfer window closed following a busy last few days at Easter Road, a lot of Hibees would have been cock-a-hoop at the signing of Omeonga. For many, the Belgian would be the player who would add extra pizzazz to the centre of the pitch and provide inspiration to make the team tick. An understandable thought.

‘Different dynamic’

Comments by Ross following the signing of Docherty on loan from Rangers until the end of the season take on even more meaning, now we have seen what the player is capable of.

“Greg coming to work with me on loan is a huge plus,” he said. “It was something we had been keen to try and do. I had identified him at the beginning of the window.

"We wanted a different dynamic to our midfield area. We got that to a degree with the signing of Stephane Omeonga.

"The energy Greg brings, the goal threat he can provide, the ability to go box to box. I was fortunate to see Greg first hand when he was with Shrewsbury. He showed that attacking part of his game. He's an all-round midfielder. I know he has that versatility which is an added attraction.

"I'm excited to start working with Greg. The conversations I've had with him over the past couple of days have been really encouraging."

It was almost prescient.

Since arriving, Docherty has without a doubt provided a “different dynamic”. “Energy… goal threat… ability to go box to box”, it has all been visible so far.

In fact, if Hibs fans cast their minds back to August 2017, Docherty was an integral part of a “delightful tiki-taka team move” in a 3-1 win for Hamilton Accies at Easter Road. Not only did he start the move from deep but he kept running forward, past John McGinn, before collecting a pass in the Hibs half, getting his side up the pitch. He was in position to latch on to a lay-off outside the box but just as it seemed he was going to shoot he disguised a pass to team-mate Rakish Bingham who netted.

Different proposition

Hibs have become a different proposition with the former Accies man at the heart of their play. It can’t be understated how much he has added to the team, and Ross was not joking when he talked about the player as an all-rounder.

At Rangers, and Accies before them, there was a perception that he was a player with a great engine, fantastic stamina and can be physical. He has shown that so far at Hibs, but more than that he has made it clear he is a gifted footballer. Evidenced by his recent stupendous strike against Kilmarnock and assist for Christian Doidge’s goal at home to Livingston.

He also displayed his vision and ability to create chances from different areas in his first start of the club, against BSC Glasgow in the Scottish Cup, and first start in the league against Ross County.

In the latter he delivered a tantalising cross-pass across the face of the goal, while in the former he sent a long pass over the top of the defence for Marc McNulty to score.

It is the verticality that he has brought to the midfield which has been so positive for Ross’ side and so impressive. When he gets possession the first thing in his mind is ‘can I go forward?’. The answer is mostly yes, because he has the pace and/or quality to do so.

In the 3-0 win over County, Hibs got off to a great start at Easter Road. Much of the credit is due to Docherty’s forward-thinking approach. Picking up the ball deep in his own half there was little thought other than firing it forward into Scott Allan (IMAGE 2).

A player like Docherty is a dream for Allan. The pass meant he took out the Staggies’ midfield, didn’t give them a chance to get back into position and it gave the playmaker an abundance of space and time to turn and thread a pass through for Doidge to score.

It is the same when it comes to off the ball runs. If he spots space to run into he will take it. In IMAGE 3 you will see him darting past a St Mirren midfielder who is unaware of his presence.

Running without the ball seems like such a simple thing but it is something which a number of players negate. Not Docherty. What it does is force the opposition to react. If a player follows him it creates space for team-mates. If an opponent doesn’t, then he is going to get into a dangerous position. Runs such as the one displayed ask questions of the opposition and, again, play into the hands of players such as Allan who want team-mates to move into space.

Counter-attacking force

The run in IMAGE 3 was the fourth part of an excellent move which painted a clear picture of his all-round qualities. IMAGE 4 shows Docherty winning an awkward ball in midfield. Between winning the ball and making the forward dart he showed his strength to hold onto possession under pressure and then the composure to find a team-mate.

With the switch to the 3-4-1-2 and integration of Docherty, Hibs have become a dangerous counter-attacking force. It helps when the team includes players like Martin Boyle, Docherty and Omeonga, and the passing of Allan.

While the midfielder’s capacity to make those vertical runs has been highlighted, he is just as adept doing it with the ball. Two examples of him doing so arrived against Livingston and Ross County.

Not only has he ended up creating opportunities but it gets Hibs up the park quickly and can ease the pressure on the defence. Having players such as Docherty and his ability to carry the ball from A to B quickly worries teams. They won’t want to over-commit. It can lead to opponents becoming indecisive and hesitant.

So far the midfielder has proved to be a shrewd move from Hibs and easily one of the best January recruits. Fans are already desperate for the player to remain at the club. Reports suggest that could be difficult, but one thing is sure, they have a player they can enjoy and one to lead them up the table and perhaps back to Hampden Park.