Scotland U17s suffer brutal German lesson but Ben Doak underlines why Liverpool covet him

Scortland's U17 Euro Championship qualifying hopes are hanging by a thread after being thumped 4-0 by a German side that looks capable of going the full distance in Israel this summer.

Despite a spirited performance at the Falkirk Stadium, Brian McLaughlin’s side were picked off by the impressive visitors to leave them with just one point from two Group 3 games.

Nothing more than victory in their final match against Georgia on Tuesday will now suffice if the young Scots are to have any hopes of reaching the finals. But even that might not be enough after this heavy defeat.

The pre-match focus was on Celtic and Rangers youngsters Ben Doak and Rory Wilson both of whom are on the the radar of Premier League clubs south of the border.

The duo were also pivotal to the stirring second half fightback that produced an opening day draw against Czech Republic - with Wilson nabbing both goals from Doak assists - last Wednesday.

Doak - the quick feet, powerhouse winger - got a taste of the top team with substitute appearances against Rangers and Dundee United earlier this year and is on Liverpool ’s radar.

And on this evidence it was easy to see why as the 16-year-old’s surging runs into the box continued to be the Scots’ best weapon in trying to breach the German defence.

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