"They just can't compete" - Journalist drops worrying Celtic claim after exit report

Celtic ‘can’t compete financially’ with clubs in England’s Premier League, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke amid reports that midfielder Ben Doak is set to join Liverpool.

The 16-year-old has made two substitute appearances for his boyhood club this season but is set to make the switch to Anfield over the summer as he looks to take the next step in his career already.

Ange Postecoglou awarded Doak his first taste of senior football when he came off the bench at Parkhead on 68 minutes during the 1-0 victory over Dundee United.

And things got even better for the teenager just a few days later when he was brought on during the Old Firm derby victory over Rangers at the beginning of February.

However, that could be the last time Doak pulls on a Celtic shirt after it was revealed the Scotland Under-17 international is close to signing for Liverpool.

According to The Athletic, the Reds are ‘closing in’ on his signature and as he’s yet to sign a professional contract with the Glasgow giants, they would only be due minor compensation if the move goes through.

Doak could become the latest academy graduate to depart Celtic prematurely, with the likes of Liam Morrison, Barry Hepburn, Josh Adam and Liam Hughes joining Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Liverpool in recent years.

While losing Doak will come as a blow to Postecoglou, O’Rourke believes the issue ‘comes down to finances’ and that Celtic simply can’t afford the same wages as their Premier League rivals.

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He told GiveMeSport: “Unfortunately, I think for Celtic, and a lot of the clubs in Scotland, they just can’t compete financially with what’s on offer in England.

“So, I think it’s hard