Ally McCoist says Celtic ace who left under Ange Postecoglou is now doing things not seen in ‘years’

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Celtic have watched a lot of their top talents and performers leave the building for many years now.

Despite Celtic’s dominance in Scotland, they are always finding that a top performer from the first team is being sold for big money or a rising academy star.

That’s simply down to the money, especially the finances English sides now have, or the rest of Europe, and the champions of Scotland simply can’t compete.

It’s one of many reasons why Ben Gannon-Doak left Celtic for Liverpool in 2022, despite, then-manager Ange Postecoglou providing him with minutes for the senior side.

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Ally McCoist on watching Ben Gannon-Doak play for Scotland

It’s amazing to think Gannon-Doak is still 19, but since leaving Celtic Park, he has played a handful of matches for Liverpool, gone on loan to Middlesbrough, made his debut for Scotland and signed for Bournemouth in the summer for a big fee.

Ally McCoist is certainly a fan of the all-action winger, and he made that clear, as Scotland edged closer to booking their 2026 World Cup ticket over the October international break.

Speaking on talkSPORT, McCoist thinks, for the first time in ‘many years’, Scotland now has a player who can provide a serious threat from the flanks, as he just ‘enjoys’ watching the former Celtic star in action.

“One of my, not complaints, more than anything, it has been a disappointment, that we haven’t had anybody, for many years, in a wide area who can do something different,” said McCoist.

“Go and beat players. Go and commit players. A bit of pace. Do something different. I think we have got it now.

“I have watched him in both games, and like wingers, I love wingers, but they can frustrate you. I think he does some absolutely brilliant things. I said to my boys, sitting and watching it, ‘I really enjoy watching him.’

“I think he has got something different. He takes people on. He will give the ball away. His final ball won’t be good enough. I think there is something there we can work with. The Scottish fans are willing him to do well.”

Celtic hero Shaun Maloney on Gannon-Doak qualities

Shaun Maloney was a serious baller during his playing days, including success at Celtic, as well as in the English Premier League.

If Gannon-Doak wants to be successful in England, he should probably look towards a player like Maloney because they both have that exciting style to their game.

But with Maloney now a coach, he is watching Gannon-Doak from afar, and he is loving what he is producing for his country.

“He has amazing talent,” said Maloney. “I think when we watched him, I think it was against Croatia, when he played against Gvardiol.

“We have been crying out for a player like this for ages. We would love more of them. He is so young. We put the expectation of our whole attack on that side and on him. I love him.

“He’s young. I think, generally, young wingers are going to be up and down before they really start to impact the game.

“What he can do. Nobody else in the squad can do one-v-ones like him. Or provide us with that threat. I am sure he might frustrate a few for a couple of years before he hits the heights. He is so young. But he is really good.”