Pundit Alex McLeish has been giving his thoughts to Liverpool’s move for Celtic winger Ben Doak, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Liverpool move close
Doak has been a target for both Liverpool and Chelsea since the turn of the year, with the 16-year-old yet to pen a professional deal at Parkhead.
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He has made two first-team appearnaces under Ange Postecoglou, one of which came in the final minutes of a 3-0 win over Rangers last month.
However, it seems as if a move to Merseyside is edging closer, with the draw of working with Jurgen Klopp pivotal in Doak’s decision. Reports have suggested that a compensation fee for Doak could total just £150,000.
The Latest: McLeish reacts
McLeish, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding the update on Doak.
He described it as a ‘blow’ that the Hoops will only receive a compensation package and even compared it to Graeme Souness’ move to Tottenham back in 1970.
“To only get a compensation fee, that’s a blow.
“That is a blow to lose a kid at that age without him developing in the first team and maybe getting a couple of successes under his belt.
“It’s a shame to lose him but it’s not as if he’s going to a club that won’t improve him.
“You can see it in different ways. We’ve lamented for so long about the national team struggling and not having the players.
“We’ve seen others leaving as young players. When you go back in time, you see guys like Graeme Souness going to Tottenham when he was 17, 18. If it’s going to help the national team, we’ve got to consider that as well.
“You want to see as many good young players developing in Scotland as possible.
“There has been an upsurge over the last five or six years towards players who have played in Scotland now playing in the Premier League in England.
“It’s the biggest and best league in the world. You can see why they are doing business for these kids. They’ve got huge money. That’s the way the modern game is.
“Them’s the breaks, isn’t it? That’s the scenario you didn’t want but it’s the same as everybody who’s been a bit unlucky with a deal.”
The Verdict: A shame
Celtic, unfortunately, have lost a number of their young talents to some of the biggest clubs across Europe in recent years, and it seems as if Doak will join that list.
The Hoops could have banked an eye-catching fee for Doak if he was under professional terms, but they are seemingly now powerless to prevent a cut-price exit from going through.
The club are planning to become more involved when it comes to their academy talents, looking to communicate pathways into the first team, which will hopefully stop talents like Doak from leaving before making an impact.
In other news: Journalist now confirms major Celtic development on David Turnbull ahead of Ross County.