Steve Clarke shares Ben Doak verdict ahead of Poland clash as Liverpool player wows
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has warned that Liverpool attacker Ben Doak may not start against Poland on Monday.
That is despite his Man of the Match display in the 1-0 win against Croatia on November 15.
It is a must-win contest for Scotland who will be relegated from Nations League Group A1 with a loss or draw but could secure a pot-one seeding in next month’s World Cup qualifiers draw with victory if Croatia lose to Portugal.
The 19-year-old has rapidly emerged as a fan favourite for the Tartan Army but Clarke is determined to protect the teenage winger from burnout, saying: “There is plenty of time for him to develop and it’s important not to put too much pressure on the boy.
“He can be [a game changer], as long as we look after him and make sure that he continues to develop. A lot of people see the good things that he does. Me and my coaching staff are a little bit more analytical.
“We’ll see other things that he doesn’t do quite so well because he’s only a young player and he’s looking to learn.”
Liverpool youngster Ben Doak can be Scotland’s next star
The Liverpool winger has enjoyed a rapid rise after suffering a huge injury setback last season.
He was set to be a part of Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad but was forced to withdraw with a knee injury that had kept him out of the majority of the club season, where he was expected to have a chance to showcase his talents under Jurgen Klopp.
However, Doak has bounced back and is currently enjoying a terrific campaign on loan at Middlesborough, scoring one goal and assisting three in 10 Championship games.
His direct style of play and blistering pace caused Josko Gvardiol, one of the best defenders in the Premier League all sorts of problems on Friday, suggesting that Doak can handle the step up to the elite level of the game.
He completed 50 per cent of his dribbles against the Manchester City man while also registering one shot and it was his deflected cross that set up the winning goal [Fotmob].
If he continues in this vein of form with Mohamed Salah’s uncertain future and Federico Chiesa’s injury woes, he could cement a spot on the Reds’ right wing in the near future.
In other Liverpool news, the Reds are planning a player-plus-cash offer for Antonee Robinson.
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