Agent reveals Ange could’ve kept Ben Doak at Celtic | OneFootball

Former Celtic captain Jackie McNamara has revealed that Ange Postecoglou’s side could have retained Ben Doak before his exit to Liverpool in early 2022. Jackie Mac transitioned from management into agency and represents the winger.

Doak left Celtic for just a £600k development fee, joining Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Speaking to Open Goal, McNamara has said that Celtic could’ve retained him by guaranteeing him first team football.

“I went to watch him at 15.

“I went away to watch him at Scotland 17s but everybody was trying to get him, then I’d signed with him, he signed with us and Celtic were trying to get him to extend and stay.

“Ange had put him in a couple of times and if he’d have kept him in the first-team. The problem is if you’re not in the first-team they need something in between that to get the boys to go out.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Ben Doak of Scotland during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Scotland and Portugal at Hampden on October 15, 2024. (Photo by Euan Cherry/Getty Images)

“No disrespect to the Lowland League but when you’re at a certain level it’s stimulation, you need to go and play and be tested so there’s somewhere else boys can go if they’re not in the first-team.

“I think if they kept him in at that point he might’ve wanted to stay.”

To be fair to Ange, he was in a title race with Rangers that looked destined to go to the wire. Celtic added Daizen Maeda to their ranks in the January window, providing competition for James Forrest, Liel Abada and Jota. There would have been limited game time for Doak at that age. Doak was just 16 when he came into the first team picture at Celtic and it would be unrealistic to expect the player to get beyond a bit-part first team player.

McNamara went onto confirm that he thinks that the 19-year-old is a special talent.

“He’s injured just now but I think he’s special. I watched him away with Scotland and he’s got it, he’s special.”

There has to be some lessons learned from what McNamara has said regarding Doak’s departure. Celtic need to revise their development as it appears the current system doesn’t appear to appeal to players, with Daniel Cummings the latest to leave.