Ben Doak says he has no regrets about leaving Celtic for Liverpool because of the levels he witnesses in training every day that are helping him develop as a player.
Doak may well have been earning more regular first-team football at this stage in his career than if he had made the move to Anfield, but he is progressing nonetheless.
The young attacker is a much-hyped talent within the Liverpool set-up and is training regularly under Jurgen Klopp with the senior squad. He’s also drawing attention for his performances in a Scotland shirt at U21 level.
Asked directly if he has any regrets about leaving Celtic for England, Doak insisted that the environment he is surrounded by at Liverpool makes it worth it.
The 17-year-old said [The Glasgow Times]: “No, not at all. Without being disrespectful to teams up here, the level at Liverpool, a team that got to three Champions League finals in recent years, is incredible. It’s the highest I’ve ever seen with my own eyes. It’s a must to set the bar high for my levels.
“The other players’ standards seem so high without trying sometimes because they’re just that good. I need to set those levels for myself. If I’m off it one day then it’s dead frustrating but that’s just something for me to work on.
“I look ahead and I know why I’m not playing. It’s because one of the best players in the Premier League is in front of me. So I have no reason to complain. I’m just trying my best to learn from him and all the others as well. They’re dead good with me, always taking me aside to tell me what I should be doing. They help me keep my head as well.”
Doak has already made eight senior appearances for the Reds and the smart money is on many more coming. He’s slowly being introduced to the pressures at Anfield.
When the youngster left Celtic, some fans accused him of chasing money but it was never really about that. He saw an opportunity to become the best possible player he could be and so far his move has been fully justified.
Big things are ahead for him and while it was always disappointing to see him move south, no-one can begrudge him a quality career from this point onwards.
In other news, Celtic star makes class breakthrough.
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