Doak, Vata, Kelly and the green, green grass of home

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·22 November 2024

Doak, Vata, Kelly and the green, green grass of home

If you’re good enough you’ll make the grade at Celtic. James Forrest, Calmac and KT are current proof of that…

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts alongside Ben Doak of Scotland during the UEFA Nations League match between Scotland and Portugal at Hampden on October 15, 2024.(Photo by Euan Cherry/Getty Images)

Ben Doak

Young Ben Doak has been one of the many positives to come out of Scotland’s last two nation league victories.

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The 18 year old Liverpool attacker who is currently on loan at English Championship side Middlesbrough was instrumental in our two impressive wins against Croatia and Poland, and looks like he will be a Scotland player for many years to come.

Ben Doak of Scotland shoots as Dominik Kotarski of Croatia makes a save during the UEFA Nations League match between Scotland and Croatia at Hampden Park on November 15, 2024. (Photo by Euan Cherry/Getty Images)

Ben of course came through the Celtic youth ranks and made two first team appearances before departing for the bright lights of the English Premier League.

Some supporters have been suggesting on social media that the best thing Ben could have done was leave Celtic to progress his career, but that is not entirely true and nothing but a cheap shot at our club.

Ben Doak and Greg Taylor of Celtic celebriate victory after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at on February 02, 2022. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

I’m in no doubt that Ben would have vastly improved had he stayed at Celtic and would currently be part of the first team squad. He would have learned so much under Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers, perhaps even more than he’s learned in the Liverpool reserves and his short stint at Middlesbrough.

It’s been suggested that players careers can become ‘stifled’ if they remain at a club like Celtic were playing young players regularly is such a rarity due to the demands placed on players to win every game.

Callum McGregor applauds the Celtic support after the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, Celtic against Aberdeen. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

While that may have reason for argument, it’s not entirely true is it? As the reality is, if you are good enough you will make the grade at Celtic.

James Forrest

Our very own James Forrest is one trophy away from being the joint most decorated player in Celtic history, while Callum McGregor is our current club captain.

James Forrest at Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

Kieran Tierney

Kieran Tierney is another great example. KT became a first team regular before making a record breaking move to Arsenal and as he’s now fit again and back in training, he is bound to be the subject of transfer speculation in the January window if there is no route to first team football available at Arsenal.

Tierney attended a Celtic FC Foundation event in London last week, seen here with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers. Photo Celtic FC

As Jamesy once asked: ‘fancy it?’

To say that young players can’t progress at Celtic is total fabrication. Yes we’d like a better pathway to the first team for the Celtic Academy stars to dream about and aim for and perhaps that has not always been as clear as it should be over the past decade or two. More is being done to rectify that problem.

It’s not Celtic’s fault that English clubs are busy scooping up the best young talent to horde and with little chance of getting into their first teams. Ben Doak might make it at Liverpool but currently he’s playing for the less glamorous Middlesbrough in the Championship He could have been starring for Celtic in the Champions League.

Rocco Vata of Celtic celebrates after he scores his team’s fifth goal during the the Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on January 21, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rocco Vata and Daniel Kelly

It was his choice. Celtic did all that they could, just ask Ange Postecoglou who went the extra mile on Doak to no avail. Same with Brendan with Rocco Vata and Daniel Kelly, who are currently finding the grass isn’t any greener at Watford of Millwall.

28th February 2024 Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland Scottish Premiership Football, Celtic versus Dundee Daniel Kelly of Celtic shoots and scores for 7-0. Photo Action Plus David Young

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