The fans love nothing more than watching a youngster breakthrough from the academy and become a regular first-team player.
It’s amazing that Kieran Tierney was the last player to accomplish that, and Celtic has to improve in this area greatly.
However, Peter Martin feels the team should have done more to retain young Ben Doak at the club because there was one guy who was unquestionably talented enough to succeed at Celtic.
“He’s been one of those players that, again, Celtic should have really pushed the boat out,” Martin stated [PLZ Soccer]. After giving him a whiff, they weren’t ready to actually restrain him.
“I believe they missed a trick with the boy because he could have been one of those players for whom they would have saved money to purchase a Yang.”
Wherever Celtic really not prepared to tie Doak down? Let’s look at the events leading up to his departure.
Ange Postecoglou dropped hints on why Ben Doak left Celtic
The Australian was asked about Doak (and Karamoko Dembele) when he was the manager of Celtic back in March.
Furthermore, Postecoglou’s remarks at the time suggested that Doak might have already decided to leave Celtic.
Postecoglou stated, “They have to want to be here and they have to want to be here long-term,” in a video posted on Celtic YouTube.
“Everyone has the right to make their own decisions, and I have complete respect for those who see their futures elsewhere or are unsure, but I will give those who wish to stay at our football club more time and opportunities.
“It is necessary for them to want to be here and see their future here, regardless of their age, in order for me to give them the chance.”
So maybe it was out of Celtic’s hands. Maybe the call from Liverpool, to be coached by Jurgen Klopp and working alongside the likes of Mo Salah was just too good to turn down.
And you have to admit, it seems to have worked out for him.
Jurgen Klopp is impressed with the former Celtic attacker
It’s obvious that the manager of Liverpool adores Doak. Speaking at a pre-game news conference this month ahead of Liverpool’s Europa League encounter against Toulouse, Klopp was all praise for what the young player had accomplished in his little time wearing a Liverpool jersey.
“Obviously, Ben really showed up for us, played a really good pre-season,” Klopp stated to the Liverpool FC team.
He played these minutes for us, made a significant effect, played in the Europa League and other events, made an appearance in the Premier League, and then sustained this injury.
“That is never cool for a boy; it takes away from some rhythm.” He is back with us now, completely trained, and available for tomorrow, which is incredibly beneficial to us.
“We need to make adjustments, as I mentioned, but we want to make quality changes. Ben is clearly talented, which is why it’s so beneficial.
Ben Doak explains why he left Celtic
However, Doak did share his motivations for moving from Glasgow to Merseyside in an interview conducted earlier this year.
Doak told [The Sun], “It wasn’t an easy decision to go at first. But as I descended and saw the amenities and standards, I saw how excellent it is.
“Yet, Celtic is the team that helped shape me into the player and person I am today. To them, I owe everything.
“I still stay in touch with the boys and stay informed about the outcomes.”
It’s amazing to consider that Doak has already made nine appearances for Liverpool’s first team this season, compared to just two outings totaling 25 minutes during his entire Celtic career. [Transfermarkt]
It is evident that Liverpool provided Doak with a route to the first team that Celtic failed to provide, and it appears that this played a role in his decision to select The Reds over the green and white Hoops of Celtic.
And it appears that Celtic has been dealing with that problem for a long time; the Hoops faithful can only hope that Brendan Rodgers will be able to fix it going forward.
In other developments, Mark Guidi claims that he has been informed by Celtic officials that his £3 million summer signing is insufficient.
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