Scotland manager Steve Clarke has surprisingly revealed that Ben Doak's starting position is uncertain for the crucial match against Poland, despite the Liverpool star's impressive performance in the 1-0 win over Croatia just days ago.
During a pre-match press conference at the National Stadium, Clarke expressed that he is not worried about potential criticism if he decides to bench Doak. He also reiterated his caution against putting too much pressure on the young Liverpool winger, who has only recently turned 19.
When asked about Doak, Clarke showed signs of frustration with the intense media attention, saying: "First of all, congratulations on asking a few questions before we actually get round to talking about Ben! I appreciate that.
"He's obviously feeling good about himself but he's in among good people and we'll keep his feet on the ground. He's a big talent for now and a big talent for the future."
When questioned about the possibility of Doak playing two games in a short span, Clarke replied: "That's why - as I sit here now - I haven't named the team." He emphasized the need to assess the fitness of all players, including those who finished the previous game, to ensure they are ready for the next match, reports the Daily Record.
Clarke has acknowledged the high expectations surrounding young talent Doak, but insists on a cautious approach. When faced with the possibility of disappointing fans by resting Doak, he simply stated: "Yeah, there would be. But that's my job."
"He can be as long as we look after the boy and make sure that he continues to develop. A lot of people see the good things that he does. Me and my coaching staff are a little bit more analytical. We'll see other things that he doesn't do quite so well because he's only a young player and he's looking to learn.
"I think he's in a good environment at Middlesbrough in terms of learning the game and working on the game. When I watch his progress there, from when he got into the team until now, he's improved already in my opinion."
"But there's a lot to work on over the years. But, at the moment, you guys can all be excited about what he does with the ball. There's plenty of time for him to develop and it's important not to put too much pressure on the boy."