Celtic transfer news: Ben Doak ‘blow’ close after six-figure Liverpool update – McLeish
Alex McLeish has admitted Celtic look set to suffer a bitter “blow” with hot prospect Ben Doak reportedly set to join Liverpool.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland boss insisted it is a “shame” the 16-year-old appears England-bound without having cut his teeth north of the border.
As reported by the Scottish Sun on Monday (14 March), Celtic could receive as little as £150,000 in compensation for Doak as Liverpool close in on a move.
The teenager, who turned 16 in November, has not signed a professional deal at Parkhead and Liverpool are reportedly set to poach him from Parkhead.
McLeish admitted the youngster’s departure would be a bitter pill to swallow for the Bhoys.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “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.”
Doak made his Celtic debut as a substitute against Dundee United back in January.
His second appearance came against Rangers in February.
In other Celtic news, pundit predicts Celtic may “sell off” top stars after transfer confession.