“Celtic lost a gem…” – Wrong Move from Celtic as DISCARDED Player Now Outperforms Jota and All Celtic Forward….

Celtic’s Lost Gem: Ben Doak’s Rise to Prominence

As Celtic’s European campaign hangs in the balance, the Hoops’ faithful can’t help but wonder what could have been if they had managed to hold onto one of their most promising young talents. Ben Doak, the 19-year-old winger, has been making waves in the football world with his impressive performances on loan at Middlesbrough.

Doak’s introduction to senior football came in a Celtic jersey, making his debut as a late substitute in a crucial match against Dundee United in January 2022. He also came off the bench in a famous Old Firm victory three days later. However, despite these promising appearances, Doak opted not to sign professional terms with Celtic, instead choosing to join Liverpool for a mere £600,000 in compensation.

At the time, it seemed like a minor setback for the Hoops, but Doak’s rapid rise to prominence has left many Celtic supporters wondering what could have been. The young winger has been in scintillating form for Middlesbrough, scoring three goals and providing seven assists in the EFL Championship. His impressive statistics have caught the attention of many, with journalist Henry Winter hailing him as a “huge prospect.”

Doak’s numbers are certainly impressive, and a deeper dive into his statistics reveals a player who is comfortable taking on opponents and creating chances for his teammates. According to (link unavailable), Doak has completed 82 shot-creating actions, ranking him 18th in the Championship. He has also made 134 progressive carries, good for third in the league.

Doak’s form has not gone unnoticed, with Liverpool reportedly rejecting a £15 million bid from Crystal Palace for his services in January. The young winger has also made his senior international debut, starting all four of Scotland’s UEFA Nations League matches in October and November. He even set up John McGinn’s last-gasp winner against Croatia at Hampden, helping to save the Tartan Army from relegation.

Celtic supporters can’t help but feel a sense of what could have been if Doak had chosen to stay at Parkhead. The Hoops’ squad is undoubtedly talented, but the addition of a player like Doak would have added a new dimension to their attack. As it stands, Celtic fans can only watch from afar as Doak continues to impress in the Championship.

In contrast, Jota, the Portuguese winger who returned to Celtic in January, has struggled to make an impact. Despite his impressive pedigree, Jota has managed just two goals and two assists across his time at Rennes and Celtic in 2024/25. While he is still finding his feet, Doak’s form has left many wondering if Celtic made a mistake in letting him go.

As the Hoops prepare to face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League tie, they will need all the attacking firepower they can get. Unfortunately, Ben Doak will not be there to provide it, a reminder of what could have been if Celtic had managed to hold onto one of their most promising young talents.