Ben Doak just didn't want to stay at Celtic after talking to Liverpool reveals agent Jackie McNamara.
The former Hoops youngster is continuing to set tongues wagging with the excitement over the potential of the 17-year-old going into overdrive. He has already landed a top team debut from Jurgen Klopp this season and also been included as part of English Premier League squads after huge success for the Reds' Youth team. He was also rewarded with his first pro deal at the club in a whirlwind couple of months.
He was a star in their UEFA Youth League campaign that includes goals against Rangers. Before his move south of the border Ange Postecoglou handed him a top team debut against Dundee United before further minutes in the Old Firm derby with the Light Blues. That appearance was the moment that McNamara thought Celtic could hang on to the top talent, but in the end once Liverpool made their pitch there was only one winner. The former Hoops and Scotland full-back, who is Doak's agent, has offered an insight into his departure from the Scottish champions.
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Speaking to the BBC, he said: "In fairness, I thought the Old Firm game might have swung it.
"Because my whole thing was, show the kid that you're going to keep him, show him that he's not behind six or seven other players. He doesn't want to play against Civil Service Strollers in the B team.
"But for the Old Firm game he was getting bombarded for tickets, for this, for that, down where he lived in Ayrshire. He turned his phone off. You forget he was only 16. I asked what he was thinking and he just didn't want to stay.
"When Ben went down to visit Liverpool, Klopp said, 'Ah Ben, I've seen your stuff.' Straight away he was made to feel really welcome."
Former Celtic B team manager Tommy McIntyre added: "Celtic did try their very best to keep him. They gave him that platform to perform on the big stage, but it was ultimately his decision.
"He was always highly thought of. It was only age that prevented me bringing him in earlier to the B team, as you need to be 16.
"He wasn't with me long before Ange took him up to the first team. He's so exciting because he's a player that gets fans off their seat - when he gets the ball, he's so direct. He's got blistering pace and has a trick as well. He can get past people, he provides crosses into the box, he creates chances, he finishes."
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