Hibernian's Christian Doidge compared to Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski

Doidge endured a difficult start to his Hibernian career after a £300,000 summer move from Forest Green Rovers.

The striker scored just two goals in his first 15 appearances for the Edinburgh club and faced some heavy criticism from fans after several wasted opportunities.

Hibs’ poor start to the season cost manager Paul Heckingbottom his job.

But since his departure early last month, Doidge has rediscovered his goalscoring instincts.

The 27-year-old, who previously played for Croesyceiliog and Cwmbran Celtic and had a brief trial at Newport County AFC in 2014, has scored seven times in his last six appearances.

That streak, which was kick-started by a hat-trick against St Johnstone, even led new boss Jack Ross to compare the striker to Poland international Lewandowski.

“I don’t think you can underestimate how players feel about themselves,” said Ross. “It’s sometimes amazing how they get into that flow of scoring and at the moment that’s the case for him.

“His record statistically shows that should be the case and will be the case and that’s encouraging.

“The best example is to look back at Lewandowski before he went to Dortmund and why they recruited him.

“This record through the lower leagues in Poland up to top league he always scored goals, and fact Christian is scoring goals gives me encouragement he’ll continue to do that."

“I knew about Christian,” added the former Sunderland boss.

“He got his move to Bolton then back to Forest Green. I was aware of him and was interested to see how he would so when I saw he was coming here in the summer.

“I have been impressed by him. Obviously, his [goal] return at the moment has been good.

“I think he is more mobile than I anticipated and [he has] more to his game than people imagine.

“He’s a handful. When you have the right players alongside him, he is effective.”

Doidge admitted that his confidence had "gone a little bit" before his hat-trick against St Johnstone.

"You don't look at stuff that's going my way but you hear bits," he said.

"We're professional footballers and if you're not doing your job on the pitch, you're going to get a bit of abuse.

“I missed a few chances and maybe confidence-wise it was gone a little bit.

“You've just got to stay mentally strong and keep getting in the positions.”

Doidge will be hoping to maintain his form and catch the eye of Wales manager Ryan Giggs ahead of Euro 2020.

Giggs’ men will play a warm-up friendly at home to Austria on March 27.

The venue and kick-off time have yet to be confirmed.