NOW AND BEN

BEN GANNON DOAK has been in the hype machine before.

- By Scott McDermott

Like at 16, when he exploded on to the scene at Celtic in January 2022 and lit up Parkhead with a debut off the bench.

And again, two months later, when he sealed a dream move to Premier League giants Liverpool where he got to learn off Mo Salah.

So far in his fledgling career, hype has followed Gannon Doak around and it's not going away anytime soon.

Just last month Bournemouth splashed out £25million to prise him from Anfield.

And, for his country, a nation expects. At just 19, the winger is adored by the Tartan Army.

Scotland fans see him as a saviour for Steve Clarke's side - a game changer, a difference maker, the kid who can take us to the World Cup.

That would be a hefty weight of expectation on the shoulders of even the most experienced of players. But for someone so young, it's even heavier.

Gannon Doak senses supporters' faith in him, but he insists he doesn't feel the pressure and is determined not to let it be a burden that holds him back.

The teenager admits it affected him before, maybe at Parkhead when he broke through.