Tony Watt says David Turnbull only raved about one youngster at Celtic, now he’s at the World Cup

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There are eight players representing Celtic on the World Cup stage this summer.

But perhaps none of them will shine brighter than Scotland’s all-action winger, Ben Gannon-Doak.

The 20-year-old came through at Celtic as a teenager when David Turnbull, who is now at Cardiff City, was still in Glasgow.

Tony Watt had long since departed Celtic by the time Gannon-Doak started breaking through.

However, speaking on Open Goal, Watt recalled how Turnbull would constantly rave about the youngster, noting he was the only player the former Hoops man ever spoke of in such glowing terms.

“It’s the only time I have heard Turnbull come back and rave about a young kid, and it was him,” said Gannon-Doak.

“Said he was ‘frightening.’ Everybody was raving about him, and then he gets his move to Liverpool.”

• READ MORE: Andy Halliday poses Ben Gannon-Doak question that will intrigue Celtic fans ahead of World Cup

Academy players are leaving Celtic at an unprecedented rate…

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When Ben Gannon-Doak left his then-senior Celtic players amazed

Gannon-Doak made his Celtic debut as a teenager, but only played a handful of matches for then-manager Ange Postecoglou.

During that period, it wasn’t what he did on the pitch that left an impression, but what he did in training.

Watt explained that he is close to Turnbull, and his former teammate once told him how Gannon-Doak was just ripping his then-senior Celtic teammates apart in training.

“I am close with Turnbull, spoke about his wedding,” said Watt. “He was injured one day, and a couple of young boys trained with the first team.

“They came in. The boys were raving about Ben Doak. The first team boys, chopping people, running the length of the pitch, and scoring goals. Like small-sided games. Six-a-side.

“It’s the only time I have heard Turnbull come back and rave about a young kid, and it was him. Said he was ‘frightening.’ Everybody was raving about him, and then he gets his move to Liverpool.”

Gannon-Doak is now on the World Cup stage with Scotland

Gannon-Doak helped Scotland beat Haiti in their opening World Cup game, as attention will turn to a tricky contest against Morocco on Friday.

Yes, it’s a case of what could have been had the young trickster stayed at Parkhead.

Ultimately, that is a consequence of the vast financial chasm separating the Scottish game from the absolute financial monster that English football has evolved into.