"Blow for Celtic" - Journalist drops big Parkhead claim as update emerges on "highly-rated" ace

Celtic are set to suffer a major blow as highly-rated Parkhead starlet Ben Doak is nearing a switch to Liverpool, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Doak has been offered his first taste of senior action in recent months, with him coming off the bench in wins over Dundee United and Rangers, but it appears his days with the Glasgow giants are numbered.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Doak and the 16-year-old’s boyhood club would only be due minor compensation if the move goes through as he has yet to sign a professional contract with Celtic.

The report suggests the winger has been on the radar of a number of clubs and Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou offered Doak first-team action in a bid to demonstrate there was a pathway into the senior squad despite being in the early stages of his career, but it appears the prospect of working under Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been too good to turn down.

Doak’s impending departure will come as a bitter pill for the Hoops to swallow as they have seen other academy starlets – such as Liam Morrison, Barry Hepburn, Josh Adam and Liam Hughes – depart for the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Liverpool in recent years.

Postecoglou, who was appointed as Celtic’s chief last summer, has insisted Doak does not need to head south of the border to win silverware.

But it seems the six-cap Scotland under-17 international has made up his mind and is set to make the switch from Parkhead to Anfield.

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O’Rourke believes seeing Doak turn his back on Celtic after coming through their ranks will be tough to take.

The journalist feels the wide-man’s impending departure will not go down well with