The international break is now officially over for the Celtic fans after the latest round of fixtures where completed in the early hours of this morning.
Celtic winger, Luis Palma’s Honduras were battered by Mexico and now exits the CONCACAF Nations League at the quarter-final stage.
Daizen Maeda helped Japan beat China and take a step forward in qualifying for the World Cup after the Samurai Blues’ win yesterday as well.
And now, after Scotland’s latest victories against Croatia and Poland, Ally McCoist was raving about a winger who was at Celtic who gave Man City fullback and treble winner, Josef Gvardiol a ‘torrid time’.
Ally McCoist raves about Ben Doak after ex-Celtic winger destroyed Man City’s Josef Gvardiol for Scotland
Ben Doak left Celtic for Liverpool after progressing from the academy into the Hoops first-team under Ange Postecoglou.
Currently on-loan at Middlesbrough, Doak tore up trees for Scotland in their last two wins over Croatia and Poland and his performances left McCoist in awe.
McCoist told talkSPORT, “One thing I was mumping and moaning about at the Euros in particular, is we’ve got nothing in wide areas.
“Nothing in wide areas that can beat a man, commit defenders and go by them, force other defenders and fullbacks to come out and get in behind them. And we didn’t have that. Boy, we’ve got it.
“He’s got pace, he’s direct. Do you know that way you’re looking at a kid, and he’s playing without any fear? He’s fearless. I mean, he gave Gvardiol a torrid time, a torrid time in the game and then he does really well for John McGinn’s goal in Poland, as well.
“Listen, as I say, we’re going to get carried away, but he’s different class the kid. What a chance he’s got, I mean, he’s out on loan at Middlesbrough at this moment in time from Liverpool.
“But, I’m sure he was at Celtic. I’m also sure he’s related to Martin Doak, who played at Morton. But listen, early days, but he’s given us something to look forward to.
“As I say, he’s got some different in the wide area. He can drop his shoulder, he’s intelligent, good pace, direct, but he’s got a lovely step over and a movement of the body. Lovely, lovely stuff.”
What’s been said about Ben Doak and Scotland must sting at Celtic
Ben Doak was often talked about as being one of the best products of the Celtic Academy in recent years. However, after making just 2 appearances amassing 25 minutes of first-team football at Celtic, Doak decided his future lay at Liverpool and left Paradise in 2022 for the Premier League.
Since then, Doak has made 10 appearances for the Liverpool first team and is tearing up the Championship with Middlesbrough with a goal and three assists so far.
But since his Scotland performances in this break, the former Celtic youngster has been garnering all manner of praise.
Celtic defender Anthony Ralston said Doak was ‘brilliant’ in Scotland’s 1-0 win over Croatia last week. Former Hearts and Scotland boss, Craig Levein, then backed Doak to become ‘world-class‘ after the Hampden win.
And when Scotland then beat Poland 2-1, Andy Robertson tipped the former Celtic kid for ‘a bright future’ in the game after his international heroics.
Whilst Celtic have moved on from Doak, there must be some element of the Parkhead club feeling a bit stung at losing a player with such talent from right under their noses.
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