‘A bit of regret’: Stephen McGinn suggests ‘X-Factor’ player shouldn’t have left Celtic

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Stephen McGinn thinks Ben Doak might be feeling a sense of ‘regret’ at leaving Celtic for Liverpool.

The 17-year-old has been the talk of the town of late because of the minutes Jurgen Klopp is giving him for Liverpool and his first goal for Scotland’s U21s.

With Steve Clarke’s side on the verge of booking their ticket for Euro 2024, there has also been much debate about whether it’s time for Ben Doak to earn his senior call.

Either way, Stephen McGinn thinks Ben Doak might have been better off had he stayed at Celtic because he would have earned more minutes and been a ‘big part’ of a team that’s trying to make a name for itself in the Champions League, as he told Go Radio.

The all-action winger left in 2022 and he has since made eight appearances for Liverpool, you would imagine, if he was still at Parkhead, then he would have more minutes under his belt.

It also needs to be remembered that the Bhoys went fishing out for quality out wide this summer, with the ever-improving Luis Palma joining and Jota securing his big-money transfer to Saudi Arabia.

Ben Doak’s Celtic ‘regret’?

“One of the young players John (McGinn) would be referencing there is Ben Doak,” said Stephen McGinn about his brother’s comments.

“All the Scotland players are avidly watching his progress and hoping for more game time for Liverpool because he has got that bit of X-Factor going into the new year.

“I know he is under a great manager and progressing well at Liverpool. But I wonder if there is a wee bit of regret when you look at the winger situation now at Celtic. He could have been a big part of their team in the Champions League campaign.”

Ben Doak’s development

When the rising Scottish star initially left Celtic for Liverpool, it would have been great to have seen him loaned back.

Yes, training with the crop of players Liverpool have is a massive learning curve in itself.

But nothing beats those hard-earned minutes out on the pitch and he certainly would have got them for a Celtic side that won the Treble last season and is on course to put more trophies in the cabinet this term.