Darren O’Dea has reflected on working with Ben Gannon-Doak at Celtic.
The Dalry-born winger is one of many young players to reject a professional contract in favour of a move down south in recent years.
O’Dea was B team manager when Gannon-Doak broke through in the 2021-22 season, during which turned 16. Quickly, however, Ange Postecoglou fast-tracked him into first-team squads.
Before we knew it, however, Liverpool had agreed a deal to sign the winger.
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Darren O’Dea says Ben Gannon-Doak ‘just had it’ at Celtic
O’Dea said on The Margins: “So he’s what you call a generational talent.
“There’s no coach – certainly not me – that’s going to turn around and say, ‘coach that.’ He just had it.
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“There are two parts of it, taking care of it and managing his expectations, because he’s in a rush. He did it pretty quickly, but even Ben [Gannon-Doak] felt he was getting held back at times.
“He was one you just watched, and you just knew.”
O’Dea may indicate that he wasn’t given a pathway, but Gannon-Doak was named in the matchday squad for a Scottish Premiership win over St Johnstone just a month after his 16th birthday.
Two months later, he was handed a senior debut in a 2-1 home win over Dundee United. Most youngsters will come on at three or four-nil up, but Gannon-Doak replaced James Forrest with the scores tied and Celtic down to ten.
He was even given minutes in the Glasgow Derby, but still opted to move to Anfield instead of pursuing a career with Celtic.
Now aged 20, he is already a crucial member of Steve Clarke’s Scotland side, having joined Bournemouth last summer for a fee rising to £25 million.
O’Dea remained in charge of the B team for two more seasons, before transitioning into the role of Player Pathways Manager under Brendan Rodgers.
He left to become assistant manager at Swansea ahead of this season, but left the club after the sacking of Alan Sheehan.
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Celtic players to move to England in recent years
Though he may be injured at the moment, Rocco Vata’s move to Watford has worked out fairly well with, the winger reportedly attracting interest from the Premier League.
Fellow Celtic youngster Daniel Kelly, who moved to Millwall in the same summer, has struggled to make a similar impact, however.
Daniel Cummings joined West Ham at the beginning of this season, having excelled at youth level for Celtic. He has scored five goals in the Hammers’ youth sides this season.
Aidan Borland has been given first team football by Unai Emery at Aston Villa after moving there in 2023. He is currently on loan at Swindon Town.
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