Ben Doak in motion for Liverpool. (Photograph by George Wooden/Getty Pictures)
Ben Doak has reacted to his beautiful efficiency in opposition to Croatia for Scotland within the Uefa Nations League.
Nonetheless solely 19 years outdated, Doak is at the moment on mortgage at Championship facet Middlesbrough and has registered one aim and three assists in 10 second-tier appearances to date this season.
Nevertheless, he’s extremely thought by each Liverpool and Scotland and on Friday, performed nearly the whole thing of his nation’s 1-0 win over Croatia in Uefa Nations League A.
Doak — who now has 5 senior caps to his title — went head-to-head with Manchester Metropolis full-back Josko Gvardiol, whereas the likes of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic had been within the Croatian line-up.
However the teenager wasn’t overawed, trying 4 dribbles and finishing two, whereas creating two possibilities and having six touches within the opposition field.
And it was Doak’s 86th-minute ball throughout aim that was parried into the trail of John McGinn, who fired residence to ship a shock win for the Scots — ending a run of eight matches with no victory.
Ben Doak reacts to beautiful Scotland efficiency
Doak’s efficiency was sufficient to earn him the Participant of the Match award, which is unbelievable given the extent of opponent he was up in opposition to.
However Doak was occupied with who he was taking part in. As an alternative, he stored centered on the duty at hand.
“Earlier than the sport, there was a little bit of butterflies, a little bit of nerves,” mentioned Doak (by way of Liverpool’s official web site). “However when you’re on the pitch, I don’t know if it’s the identical for everybody else however I don’t see names or faces.
“I simply see one other group there to attempt to beat us so we have to go and attempt to beat them. After I’m on the ball I don’t discover who I’m in opposition to, it’s only a equipment. That’s all I see. So, I simply attempt to do my greatest.”
On the standing ovation he acquired from the Hampden crowd when he got here off towards the top, Doak added: “I simply thought they did that for each sub!”
“It’s good getting a spherical of applause however I don’t actually look an excessive amount of into that. If it was a wee bit further then nice, I actually respect the help of all of the followers.”
Scotland have discovered it powerful in Nations League A, dropping their first three matches in opposition to Poland, Portugal and Poland.
Nevertheless, the Tartan Military managed a 0-0 draw at residence to Portugal in October and backed that up with a win in opposition to Croatia.
Meaning one other win for Scotland of their last match away in Poland on Monday would see them keep away from automated relegation to League B, as an alternative going into the playoffs.
A defeat for Croatia in opposition to Portugal and a three-goal swing may even see Scotland be part of the likes of France, Germany and Spain within the finals event.
