Ben Gannon-Doak’s career has moved quickly since he left Celtic as a teenager. The winger has gone from the fringes of the first team at Parkhead to Liverpool, a productive loan spell at Middlesbrough and now Bournemouth.
His development has justified the excitement that surrounded him when he emerged from Celtic’s academy.
Yet Gannon-Doak’s latest comments also highlight a reality Celtic continue to battle.
Why are Celtic struggling to bring through academy players?
Ben Doak’s words show Celtic still matters to him
Speaking on AFC Bournemouth’s Boot Room podcast, Doak reflected on his brief spell in Celtic’s senior side before moving south.
He said: “I think mine was a bit different. I only played two games off the bench [at Celtic], as a young lad and then I left to go and join Liverpool where I played like 21’s football for a wee bit and then was kind of in and out of the squad and on the bench and stuff before I went on loan. So I was just buzzing to be there to be honest as a Celtic fan in that.”
That is the standout line. Years after leaving Glasgow, Doak still describes himself as a Celtic fan.
There is no bitterness in those comments. Instead, there is appreciation for the opportunity he was given, despite making only two senior appearances before departing for Liverpool.
Celtic’s youth dilemma is not going away
Doak’s story is also a familiar one. Celtic identified and developed a top prospect, only for an English club to offer a pathway that was difficult to turn down.
His subsequent progress suggests there was logic behind the decision. Doak broke into Liverpool’s first-team picture, enjoyed a successful Middlesbrough loan spell and has since earned a permanent move to Bournemouth.
That does not mean Celtic failed. In truth, it highlights the reality facing clubs in Scotland.
When elite Premier League sides target the country’s best young talent, keeping hold of them becomes increasingly difficult.
Doak’s latest comments show his connection to Celtic remains strong, but they also underline why retaining players of his calibre remains one of the toughest jobs facing the club.
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