Celtic youngster Ben Doak looks to have rejected Celtic’s attempts to sign the player up to a first professional contract and instead, according to a report from James Pearce over on The Athletic appears to have been persuaded to further his burgeoning career with Liverpool.

‘Doak, who only turned 16 in November, has yet to sign a professional contract with Celtic, and so his boyhood club would only be due minor compensation if the move concludes.

Celtic have tried to entice Doak to stay, with manager Ange Postecoglou handing him first-team minutes in high-pressure games against Dundee United and (the)Rangers.

This was an attempt to turn platitudes into action and communicate a tangible first-team pathway to the young player.

Doak had attracted attention from a number of top clubs but The Athletic understands that the prospect of working with Klopp was pivotal in his decision.’

Two weeks ago The Celtic Star reported that this was the likely outcome and when reading between the lines in an answer by Ange Postecoglou to a Celtic Fan Media question at the club’s Media Conference the reasonable conclusion that could be drawn was that Doak was not going to sign a contract at Celtic but Karamoko Dembele probably was.

Manager discussed Ben Doak with us a couple of weeks ago, he now looks set to sign with Liverpool. Best of luck to him. https://t.co/zeAKrCUaP2

— 4 Tims and a Podcast (@PodTims) March 14, 2022

READ THIS…Reading between the lines, Ange clears up the Ben Doak and Karamoko Dembele contract situations

Celtic of course tried to show Doak a pathway to first team football under Ange Postecoglou with those resent appearances against Dundee United and theRangers, however, the pull of the Merseyside giants and the chance to develop his career under Jurgen Klopp appears to have proved too strong for young Doak to refuse.

Celtic are keen to offer clear pathways to the first team under Postecoglou, and the approach of having a B-Team operating in a competitive environment like the Scottish Lowland League has been viewed as a way to bridge the gap between the lower age levels and first team football.

Tommy McIntyre’s side already mirrors the system operated at first team level and alongside Doak other players have benefited from first team exposure having shone with the B-Team, as Dane Murray, Owen Moffat and Joey Dawson have all seen first team action this season and not looked out of place.

It was hoped this approach would ensure young players saw the very real opportunities available if they performed well in the Lowland League, as such it will be a blow to lose a talent as promising as Ben Doak.

However, disappointing as Doak’s decision is, it shouldn’t take away from the fact there are far more opportunities emerging for youngsters at Celtic than there has been for some time and although Doak may not have been persuaded his future should lie with Celtic, others breaking through now can look to the game time afforded to others as a sign their career ambitions can be fulfilled at Celtic if they grasp the chance when the opportunity arises.

Niall J

A move to Liverpool on the cusp for youngster Ben Doak, having made 7 appearances with the Celtic B side this campaign, and also 2 with the first-team

Looks a top talent for his age, disappointing to lose him but an incredible move down south. Wish him all the best 🙌

— Lewis Laird (@LewisLaird01) March 14, 2022

CELTIC FANS ASKED TO SUPPORT THE KINDNESS FOR UKRAINE CAMPAIGN…

THE CELTIC STAR is doing some fundraising to help this great initiative to help Ukrainian families arriving in Poland and you can read the story behind this below and why The Celtic Star is asking for your support in this article below. Thanks to everyone who has donated so far, absolutely brilliant, thank you!