Celtic’s wide options have been hit hard. Jota’s injury will keep him out until around the new year, and Nicolas Kühn has joined Como.
Brendan Rodgers is suddenly light in a key area of the pitch, and the recruitment team faces a big call.
Liverpool’s Ben Doak is one of the most exciting young Scottish talents around. The 19-year-old winger has pace, trickery, and a fearlessness in one-on-one situations. His Celtic past and the fact he’s yet to nail down a regular role at Anfield make him a natural link.
But it won’t be easy. Premier League clubs like Leeds and West Ham are keeping tabs on him, and in the English market, the wages and opportunities can be hard to match. Whether Doak would see a return to Scotland as a step forward is also up for debate.
That’s where Keith Jackson and Michael Gannon come in. Jackson’s view is that Celtic should explore the move and see if it can be done, while Gannon is more cautious, questioning the likelihood and whether it suits the player’s development.
Jackson said: (Hotline Live), “Celtic are in desperate need of wingers, and Ben Doak, I think he’s got clubs like Leeds and various others, West Ham are meant to be monitoring the situation with him.
“Work through 50-odd games in a season, and then he goes back to Liverpool with that.
“I like the idea of him, especially with the Jota injury situation. Even if it was the first six months of the season, it could make sense.”
Gannon responded: “In any team in England, the finances on offer are going to be too high. Plus, for the player himself, would coming back to Scotland be a good step for his career? Probably not.
“I fully expect them to buy a winger and get one on loan.
“But I just think Doak might not be all that keen on taking a backward step when he’s already made the move to Liverpool.”
Jackson’s view is clear. Celtic need a winger and Doak could be the answer. He knows there will be strong competition but feels the issues with Jota and Kühn make a loan worth trying. For him, it could cover the gap until January without spending big.
Gannon takes a more cautious approach. He is not sure the move would help Doak’s career in the long run and points to the pull of the English market. He feels Celtic cannot pin all their hopes on a deal Liverpool might not agree to.
Ben Doak
Soccer Football – Premier League – Aston Villa v Liverpool – Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain – December 26, 2022
Liverpool’s Ben Doak in action with Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
The reality is in between. Celtic cannot turn away from a player like Doak but they must be realistic about the chances. What Liverpool decide for him will be key and the club needs backup plans ready.
If Rodgers can convince Doak to come for a short, high-profile spell at Celtic Park with Europe, the title fight and regular minutes it could work for both sides. If not, Celtic must move fast to find another wide option.
Tees for Tims