Doak and Gordon Credited for Scotland’s Recent Revival

Former Scotland national team manager Craig Levein has highlighted the significant contributions of both the youthful Ben Doak and the experienced goalkeeper Craig Gordon to Scotland’s recent improved performance. Gordon is more than double Doak’s age. Both players faced exclusion from Euro 2024; Doak missed a potential international debut due to injury, while Gordon was not selected despite his return to fitness. Since then, 19-year-old winger Doak has participated in all six Nations League group matches, starting the last four. Gordon, aged 41, has also featured, re-establishing himself as the country’s primary goalkeeper. Levein commented on Doak, a Liverpool player currently on loan at Middlesbrough, stating, “My feeling is, just give him the ball.” Doak has provided two assists in Scotland’s victories against Croatia and Poland this month. Speaking to BBC Scotland, Levein described Doak’s impact: “Against Croatia at Hampden, when he got the ball, the whole thing just lifted up a level. The noise from the crowd was fantastic.” He added, “You have to go back a long way to find somebody who’s as exciting as this lad is. He’s got searing pace and there’s something really intoxicating about that.” Levein further elaborated on Doak’s style: “That idea of just taking people on and crossing the ball, or cutting inside to shoot or setting stuff up for other people, it’s great to watch.” He noted, “He went past Josko Gvardiol like he was a two-bob defender. He’s a little bit special. He’s also got that lack of fear that young players bring and it becomes infectious when you see him enjoying himself.” Doak has made only a few appearances for Liverpool since his transfer from Celtic in early 2022. Levein remarked, “You have to be able to to learn very quickly when you’re at a club that size, how to behave and to prepare yourself for high expectations. The fact he went to Liverpool, I think, is a big thing. He’s managed to get himself in the first team on occasions, now he’s at Middlesbrough which is a good choice. He needs regular football.” Levein expressed optimism for Doak’s future, stating, “Fingers crossed, everything continues in the way it’s going for him at the moment, because he’s a top class prospect – and the excitement for me always comes knowing that eight years from now he’s going to be much better than he is now.” Gordon’s Scotland debut occurred in 2004, a year before Doak’s birth. Many observers anticipated that Gordon’s substitute appearance in the final pre-Euros warm-up match, marking his 75th cap, would be his last international game. However, the Hearts captain, who has previously recovered from two extensive injury-enforced career breaks, chose not to dismiss a return and subsequently achieved clean sheets in home fixtures against Portugal and Croatia. Levein affirmed his belief in Gordon’s abilities: “I still believe that he’s the best goalkeeper that Scotland has. Having all that experience, he brings a calmness to the back line as well.” He also suggested, “If I’m Angus Gunn, I’d be a little bit worried about getting my place back. You know he’d be watching and seeing how well Craig’s done, with some brilliant saves.” John Souttar, a Rangers defender, was also omitted from the Euros squad alongside Gordon and has similarly faced numerous injury challenges throughout his career. Despite this setback, Souttar has successfully returned to form, establishing himself as a preferred choice for Scotland manager Steve Clarke. Levein commented on Souttar’s development: “John has always had great elegance, but his decision-making and his use of the ball are now better. He’s got good speed. Physically, he’s a unit now. He’s good in the air.” Levein conveyed his admiration, stating, “I’m thrilled for him. He’s had three really bad Achilles injuries in the past and, coming back from that, all credit to him to get to the level he’s at.”