Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick heaps praise on 'thriving' Ben Doak after sensational Scotland displays

Scotland secured a dramatic win last night in Poland and there was one player everyone was keen to talk about in the aftermath of the victory.

Captain Andy Robertson bulleted in a header to win it in the dying seconds after a sensational John Souttar cross but 19-year-old Ben Doak took all the headlines, and he also assisted John McGinn’s early opener. Despite still being a teenager, the Liverpool attacker, currently on loan at Middlesborough, has been a bright spark for the national side as they fought out of a terrible run of form to record back-to-back wins.

While international football is on a break until March, many of the Tartan Army faithful will be keeping an eye on how ‘Boro are doing and if Doak, and indeed his teammate Tommy Conway, are performing well. Head coach Steve Clarke has recently said he’s pleased Ben is working under Michael Carrick at club level, and the Manchester United legend is enjoying coaching the “thriving” winger.

READ MORE: Will Hibs or Hearts be relegated? Kris Boyd and Craig Levein answer burning question

READ MORE: Steven Naismith reveals surprise post Hearts job offer and admits 'I thought he was joking'

“Yeah, we're delighted to have Ben,” Carrick told Sky Sports News. “He's made a really good impression since he's been here and it's worked out well for him. He's played well and growing and developing all the time.

“He's so young and he's played so little football really until this point, so, we've got to manage him and look after him as much as anything but great to see him thriving and improving all the time.”

Steven Naismith was also speaking to Sky Sports and said Doak’s progression in such a short space of time has been impressive to see.

“Very,” he answered when asked how excited fans should be about Doak. “I'm conscious not to push him over the limit with it. I'd like him just to be able to play. He's going to make mistakes, there are games where he’s going to be less effective but he's got some brilliant attributes.

“I have seen him as a youngster at Celtic first of all, and the most impressive thing for me is now he's end product, that decision ‘do I pass, do I go on and dribble and try and get a shot?’. In the last two games, we've seen that and that's why he's come away with assists and his overall performance has been top-level.”