Neil Lennon has rated Ben Doak a 'top talent' and has high hopes that the former Celtic kid will have a flourishing career.
The Hoops youngster was pinched for what is bound to prove a snip by English Premier League giants Liverpool, with the 17-year-old making a meteoric rise since the move. Ange Postecoglou handed the attacker his top team debut against Dundee United and further minutes in an Old Firm derby against Rangers but it wasn't enough to convince him to stay with the Scottish champions.
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool came calling with the draw of teaming up with the likes of Mo Salah and Scotland skipper Andy Robertson too much to turn down. It has proved a stunning decision with his performances in the UEFA Youth League - including goals against Rangers - and in the Reds' youth set-up impressing the top team coaching staff and earning him a full debut in a Carabao Cup clash against Derby County. An EPL debut quickly followed as well as his first pro deal at Anfield. Everyone associated with the club and the Scotland national team have high hopes for the teen for the years to come, including Lennon, who wants to see him develop naturally without too much pressure on his young shoulders.
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Karamoko Dembele was someone at Celtic who when breaking through was always talked about as the next big thing and with that hype comes added pressure. It was a much quieter with Doak and when asked about the youngster and if he was one on the radar during his time in charge at Parkhead, he told Glasgow Live Sport in an exclusive interview on behalf of Football Odds : "Not really, I think Ben played for the youth team since I left Celtic. I have seen him play a few games and he's been outstanding.
"Again, one of those where you are sorry to see them go but Liverpool is a big, big club. I watched him come on at [Aston] Villa and he played in the League Cup game [against Derby] as well which is fantastic for someone so young. He's only 17 and he is obviously highly-regarded at Liverpool already and that is fantastic for him.
"He's a top talent and hopefully he will have a flourishing career. He is a very exciting player and Liverpool are top-heavy with speed merchants and Ben will come into that category as well. Not only is he quick but he is very, very good with the ball at speed."
On becoming a star for Scotland in the future, he added: "Definitely. He's already making inroads at Liverpool and that is such a high bar and he will only get better with the coaching and working with these players on a daily basis. It is one that everybody will be excited about coming forward but I think we should just let the boy breathe and develop as naturally as possible.
"I think he is in very good hands there with Liverpool. They are very good with the young players."
Meanwhile, Lennon has also delivered his Player of the Year verdict for the campaign so far.
It is a topic of discussion that is sure to spark debate amongst fans up and down the country as the season goes on. The former Celtic boss admits he can't look beyond his old club and after taking a few moments to mull over the question, he replied: "You can't look any further than the Celtic team at the minute. It's a really good question.
"I have a soft spot for Kyogo. I love Kyogo. I have only seen Celtic live a couple of times under Ange [Postecoglou]. I was at the League Cup Final against Hibs last year. Two brilliant finishes and two different kinds. He's the leading goalscorer this season and gets the big goal against Rangers.
"For me at this stage, he's my favourite so I am going for Kyogo."
*This is part three of four in our Neil Lennon exclusive special. Part four will be released tomorrow morning from 7.30am*
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