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6 months ago
24
Steve Clarke has backed Liverpool teenager Ben Doak to become a Scotland game changer.
The uncapped 18-year-old was named as part of a provisional 28-man squad for next month’s Euro 2024 finals, despite being sidelined by knee surgery last December.
The former Celtic player has managed just seven appearances and 345 minutes of action this season. Now back in full training, Clarke believes the Anfield attacker adds something different to the pool.
He could even give the youngster his first cap in the final warm-up against Finland at Hampden on June 7 before submitting his revised squad of 26 to UEFA.
Clarke said: ‘At this stage, Ben is the young one who catches my eye, if I am being honest. He has got something, attributes that we don’t have in the squad.
‘His searing pace would be one of them. But he has still got a lot to learn, as do all the young boys when you bring them in. Everyone has got to learn.
Doak in action for Scotland Under-21s, but now he is part of senior squad for Euros
Clarke says attacker Doak provides something different to the rest of his players
Youngster Doak is highly rated by former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
‘Ben hopefully will be a big player for us in the future and maybe this summer he can make a little contribution as well.
‘He is fit and back training with his club.
‘He did a little bit with the team last week and we will speak to his club.
‘We will keep in touch with them and, from the two games, the first one (against Gibraltar in Portugal on June 3) might come a little bit too soon. But maybe in the second game, he can get some minutes on the pitch, if I choose to do that.’
Clarke handed Billy Gilmour and Nathan Patterson their first exposure to a major tournament at the delayed Euro 2020 finals. Introduced to the Liverpool first team by Jurgen Klopp, Doak attracted hype and high expectations before a meniscus injury curtailed his progress.
Warning the Tartan Army not to expect miracles from a player sidelined for the last five months, Clarke added: ‘I think it becomes a danger if you put too much pressure on a young boy who is still learning the game and making his way in the game.
‘It is nice that he is involved in the squad, but let’s just keep a lid on things and hope that he develops and turns out to be the talent that we think and hope he can be.
Doak has the kind of speed that Scots could use in Germany next month
Clarke has been impressed by Doak and says he could contribute at Euro finals
Forrest is at opposite end of career to Doak but has been recalled to Scotland squad
‘I think in terms of the last one, I looked at Nathan coming through at Rangers at the time. Billy was obviously somebody I had known for a long time with him coming through at Chelsea and David (Turnbull) at that time was breaking into the Celtic team.
‘They were ready to join the squad. You are going back three years, so I was still trying to build this group. I was still looking for people to come in, looking for people to make us better and expand the group.
‘There is always a chance to show what you can do.’
Bristol City’s Ross McCrorie is the other uncapped player named in the squad, with veteran winger James Forrest rewarded for a late run of form at Celtic. Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack is included despite playing his last game 11 weeks ago.
‘There is cover in the squad,’ added Clarke, who has lost Patterson, Aaron Hickey, Lewis Ferguson and Jacob Brown to injury.
‘I have tried to cover all positions, all possibilities. There is still a bit tumbling around in my mind that I need to see over the next 10 days, half-a-dozen training sessions and two friendlies. Then I can firm up what I do when I go to Germany.’
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