Middlesbrough must savour Ben Doak now as Liverpool decision threatens immediate future

Middlesbrough’s loan star Ben Doak put in a man of the match display in Scotland’s 1-0 win over Croatia in Glasgow on Friday and continued his fine form as Steve Clarke’s men grabbed a dramatic late win in Poland last night. Boro fan, University of Sheffield researcher and football historian Dr Tosh Warwick was at Hampden Park as Doak, alongside his Boro teammate Tommy Conway, helped inspire an unlikely triumph…

High in the stands at Hampden Park ahead of the Nations League clash with Croatia, optimism was limited amongst the Scotland faithful that they might build upon the backs-to-the-wall point gained in a stalemate with Portugal the last time out in Glasgow. Yet, amongst the supporters one name on the team sheet that created a real buzz was that of Boro’s loanee from Liverpool, Ben Doak, who has made an impressive start to his career on Teesside since breaking into Michael Carrick’s first eleven.

Ahead of the match, both Charlie Nicholas and Stuart McCall talked of their excitement at Doak’s inclusion, hailed as one of the most promising young prospects in Scottish football for decades. In fact, Preston North End assistant McCall talked about how he had been both impressed by Doak’s substitute performance against the Lancastrians back in September and relieved he had not started!

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Alongside Doak, Boro’s fellow new signing Tommy Conway – who himself has been in good form for Middlesbrough and amongst the goals – made his first start leading the line for Steve Clarke’s men. With just three minutes remaining Doak’s persistence finally paid off when a jinking run saw the youngster dink a ball into the box that the Croatian goalkeeper could only parry out for John McGinn to fire home.

Doak was then afforded a grand ovation as he departed as a late substitution and soaked up the adulation of the Hampden faithful as he walked round the perimeter as the clocked ticked down. The youngster was duly named man of the match and hailed as the new hero of Hampden by commentators and supporters alike.

Fast forward three days and with Boro teammate Conway on the Bench, it took Doak just three minutes of Scotland’s clash with Poland to once again set up McGinn who fired the Scots into the lead to set Clarke’s side en-route to an even more dramatic win in Warsaw courtesy of a last minute Andy Robertson goal.

Football fans the world over are all too aware of both the allure and harsh lessons of failing in love with a loanee and many of the Riverside faithful are no different. They have seen cult hero Uwe Fuchs, player of the season Geremi, cup-winning right back Danny Mills and Karanka goal-getter Patrick Bamford all impress on Teesside only to depart at the season’s end -albeit Bamford eventually returned.

The success enjoyed by Boro’s on-loan wing wonder has divided some Teesside supporters, including a contingent who fear the heightened media attention and impressive form of the Dalry-born youngster might result in a recall by Liverpool in January and lead to a move to a fellow Premier League outfit.

However, rather than fearing the worst, supporters should instead savour the delights of Doak whilst he is donning the red and white shirt of Middlesbrough. He is an undoubted talent who will enjoy a glittering career if he is able to stay clear of major injury and maintain his commitment to improving his game. Moreover, the impressive displays for the Tartan Army and Boro alike highlight that the loan project on Teesside where he is managed meticulously by the backroom staff – albeit sometimes at the frustration of fans when rested – is working.

After all, having turned 19 in the very week of his Hampden heroics, Doak has plenty of time to take on the challenge of Premier League football and for now can continue to learn from his time at Boro and with Carrick that worked so well for Morgan Rogers last season. Who knows, perhaps the Scotland star might be tempted by a top-flight campaign on Teesside if he can help inspire Boro to promotion this season.

Middlesbrough: On This Day, Tosh’s latest Boro book co-authored with Gordon Rees and Shaun Wilson, is available to buy at www.heritageunlocked.com/shop and high street outlets.