Get used to watching Ben Doak’s talents from afar

It may well be that Celtic are going to have to get used to watching Ben Doak’s talents from afar, if as expected Celtic’s sixteen-year-old talent heads south and signs with Liverpool.

Doak is certainly impressing at the moment, as you can see from this stunning assist – posted on social media by the excellent ‘Everything Celtic’ – for Scotland Under 17’s in their 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic in Falkirk yesterday, as his turn and touch takes two players out the game before his perfectly timed through ball removes another three Czech players from the action allowing Scotland to score a wonderfully crafted goal on the counter attack.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 | Ben Doak

Celtic teenager Ben Doak’s assist as Scotland U17 drew 2-2 with Czech Republic this afternoon in Falkirk. pic.twitter.com/aBY3OJG14K

— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) March 23, 2022

Of course, it’s hard not to look on such play somewhat forlornly, given Doak it appears sees his future away from Celtic, however, much like there have been changes implemented at first team level under Ange Postecoglou that we now see bearing fruit, so too have strides been made at youth level to ensure young talents will feel their development can be assured at Celtic as much, if not more so, than anywhere else.

Individually tailored pathways are now being introduced and youngsters and their representatives and families can now see a career mapped out at Celtic. Such a process is still in its infancy but the news Celtic appear to have persuaded two promising youngsters to sign pro-contracts, despite interest from big clubs in big leagues, shows improved engagement with young talents is persuading them their future is in good hands at Celtic.

The first real evidence of that came with the news young midfield playmaker Daniel Kelly signing a three-year professional contract and with it reject reported interest from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Benfica, meanwhile there is further good news with left back Mitchell Frame – a full back highly rated at Celtic – will also sign a similar deal, this despite interest from Manchester City, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.

And with pathway plans emerging at long last and a clear link to the first team evidenced by the likes of Dane Murray, Owen Moffat, Joey Dawson and Doak himself this season, players can not only see their future mapped out on paper, they can also see it happening for real to their peers.

And it is that approach that may well see future talents exhibit their skills in a Celtic shirt, rather than take a route to the EPL, as is likely in the case of Ben Doak.

Niall J