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Ben Doak is enjoying his first real season of senior football having been knocking on the door for Liverpool and Scotland in the last two years.

The 18-year-old winger was sent out on loan to Championships side Middlesbrough this summer, where Doak has impressed under Michael Carrick, with the former Celtic wonderkid now earning a permanent spot in Steve Clarke’s Scotland side.

And this weekend saw Doak take a major step forward in his career with the forward making his first start for the Tartan Army away to Croatia, where the ‘special’ Liverpool wonderkid impressed despite Scotland losing 2-1 in Zagreb.

And manager Clarke has now shared his verdict on Doak’s first start for Scotland.

Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images

Speaking to the press after the 2-1 defeat, Clarke shared how pleased he was with Doak’s performance, with the Scotland manager hinting that the Liverpool winger could be back in the starting XI for Tuesday’s match against Portugal.

“I’m really pleased for Ben and as a coach I’m pleased with Ben.

That’s his first start I’m sure it won’t be his last, he’s got attributes and qualities, that’s why he’s in the squad.

“We see what Ben’s got for us, but you have to be careful with young players.

The injuries have probably accelerated his first start and it was good.

We can build on that then we can assess whether he’s ready to start again on Tuesday night.

“Let’s enjoy Ben but let’s not put too much pressure on him.

He knows he’s got parts of his game to improve, he’s not a shy boy, he’s a good character, good in the dressing room.”

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

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Doak is one of Liverpool’s most exciting young players with the former Celtic man showing this season why he could become one of the best attackers in the Premier League if he can stay fit and healthy out on loan.

And regular minutes with Scotland will be key to Doak’s development, with the Liverpool winger clearly a key part of Clarke’s future plans with the home nation as the Tartan Army looks to build something having qualified for the last two Euros.

Indeed, Doak is someone many Scotland fans view as their future talisman, and the teenager knows that the more minutes he plays on the international stage, the better his development will be in the years to come.

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