Doak’s growth at Boro should strengthen case

BEN Doak said his farewells this weekend as he returned to the Riverside for the final home game of the season.

- By CRAIG JOHNS Football writer

The Liverpool loan star had been a genuine pleasure to watch during his time at Boro and his absence since the end of January has most certainly been felt.

The sky is the limit for the Scotland international, be that at Anfield or elsewhere. Clearly, breaking into Arne Slot’s team of champions next season won't be easy, but for as much as my opinion is worth, based on what he’s shown at the Riverside this term, the Reds would be wise not to sell.

For Boro, Doak’s Instagram post announcing his season’s conclusion and saying his farewells to Teesside ended the slight hope that remained that he might return before the campaign came to an end.

There's little optimism at Boro right now, but imagine the boost that even a Doak bench spot would have provided heading to Coventry this weekend.

Alas, that’s not to be and all we can do now is wish Doak the best for his future and thank him for his efforts this season. It's hard to escape a feeling of ‘what if’ given the manner Boro’s season has fallen away since his injury and Emmanuel Latte Lath's sale.