Understandably, given the way the game turned out, an impressive debut performance for the Liverpool starlet was not the first thing on his mind.
After being cut from Steve Clarke’s squad for this summer’s European Championships, twinkle-toed teenager Ben Doak made his belated Tartan Army bow as Poland arrived at Hampden Park on Thursday night.
Some have indicated that the baby-faced 18-year-old could one day step into the shoes of Mo Salah at Anfield. And there was something distinctly Salah-esque about the way Doak squared up the Polish left-back before threading a clever pass into the onrushing Anthony Ralston during the build up to Scott McTominay’s second-half leveller.
A goal which, impressive in it’s construction, counted for little by the time the full time whistle echoed around a rapdily-emptying stadium.
Liverpool’s Ben Doak impresses on Scotland debut
Nicola Zalewski’s 97th minute spot kick ensured that not only did Scotland’s Nations League campaign end in defeat – Steve Clarke’s team shooting themselves in the foot for the umpteenth time when the pressure was on – it also ensured that Doak’s sparkling cameo would be relegated to a subplot in a rather tragic tale.
“They brought energy to the game at a time when the game had opened up,” Clarke sighs when asked to comment on the introductions of Doak and the late-blooming Ryan Gauld, in comments reported by The Scotsman.
“All the substitutions that went on to the pitch made a good impact on the game.
“Obviously, it helps when you make a substitution and you score immediately. That helps everybody,” adds Clarke, Doak providing the pre-assist for McTominay’s strike just five minutes into his bow.
“It gets us back to a scoreline which should have been the worst scoreline we faced at the end of the game. It should have been, at worst, 2-2.
“But you get punished for mistakes at this level.”
Former Celtic starlet joins Middlesbrough on loan
Doak, likened to a young Arjen Robben by former Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders, showcased a few glimpses of his ‘explosive’ speed on the night.
Edinburgh Live, in their post-match player ratings, highlighted Doak’s ‘searing pace’.
This is not a Scotland side brimming with acceleration – Clarke opting to use midfielders John McGinn and Ryan Christie rather than natural widemen – so former Celtic starlet Doak could have a big role to play going forward as an impact sub and a joker in the Tartan Army pack.
Doak, who joined Liverpool from Celtic back in 2022, will spend the remainder of the current campaign on loan at Middlesbrough in England’s second tier.
He joined Boro on deadline day alongside Ipswich Town defender George Edmundson.
“They’re both probably a bit of a bonus really because you never do know what to expect in those last couple of days. It can be a little bit crazy,” Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick tells the Northern Echo.
“We were delighted to get both of them though.
“They’re obviously very different (players). Ben is a really sharp, quick and aggressive attacking winger or wide man who can cause a lot of problems for defences.
“We’re really excited to have him and really excited to see him. I’m sure the supporters will enjoy watching him.”
After making his Scotland debut, Doak could feature in a Middlesbrough shirt for the first time when Preston North End arrive at the Riverside on September 14th.
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