Scotland’s hopes of success in this month’s UEFA Nations League play-off against Greece may rest on the shoulders of one of the country’s most exciting young talents - Ben Doak.
The 19-year-old winger is widely regarded as a future face of Steve Clarke’s national team, and with his explosive pace, fearless dribbling, and eye for goal, much will be expected of him when Scotland take to the pitch.
Doak, currently on loan at Middlesbrough from Liverpool, has impressed in the English Championship, contributing three goals and seven assists for Michael Carrick’s side as they chase a play-off spot.
However, things could have been very different for the teenager had he chosen to remain at Celtic, where he emerged as a promising academy prospect.
His agent, Jackie McNamara, recently shed light on the reasons behind Doak’s decision to leave Parkhead in 2022, revealing that a lack of first-team opportunities was the decisive factor.
Read more:
- Celtic striker on how hurling prepared him for life as a footballer
- Philippe Clement breaks silence on Rangers sacking
Speaking to Open Goal, McNamara explained: "I went to watch him at 15. I went away to watch him at Scotland 17s but everybody was trying to get him, then I’d signed with him. He signed with us and Celtic were trying to get him to extend and stay.
“Ange [Postecoglou] had put him in a couple of times and if he’d have kept him in the first-team. The problem is if you’re not in the first-team they need something in between that to get the boys to go out [and play].
“No disrespect to the Lowland League but when you’re at a certain level it’s stimulation, you need to go and play and be tested so there’s somewhere else boys can go if they’re not in the first-team. I think if they kept him in at that point then he might’ve wanted to stay.”
Instead of remaining in Glasgow, Doak made the bold move to join English Premier League giants Liverpool in the summer of 2022, where he has continued his development.
Though he hasn’t featured for Middlesbrough since January 25 due to injury, and is just working his way back to maximum fitness again, McNamara remains convinced that his client has a bright future ahead.
The winger’s performances have already caught the attention of several established clubs, with Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town reportedly keen to sign him permanently in January.
Reports suggested that the London outfit even tabled a £30million bid for Doak before the window closed.
However, McNamara dismissed the claims, clarifying: "Did Crystal Palace put in a £30million bid? No. They put a bid in for him but not as much.
“He’s injured just now but I think he’s special. I watched him away with Scotland and he’s got it, he’s special.”
With Scotland’s crucial Nations League showdown fast approaching, Clarke will be hoping Doak recovers in time to make a positive impact.
The teenager has already shown flashes of brilliance in a Dark Blue shirt, and if he can replicate his Middlesbrough form on the international stage, he could play a pivotal role in the keeping Scotland’s place within Section A.
