Ben Doak impressed in his latest appearance for Scotland’s national team once again, giving Middlesbrough fans plenty to be excited by.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke has urged supporters to be patient with Middlesbrough loanee Ben Doak. The 18-year-old, who secured a deadline day loan move to the Riverside Stadium, was named in Scotland’s squad for their Nations League fixtures against Poland and Portugal.
Doak came off the bench in both games and impressed in both of his cameos as Scotland fell to defeat.
His performances have seen a growing clamour for the Boro loanee to be given more of a chance but Clarke has tempered expectations.
Steve Clarke says Ben Doak isn’t ready to play full game
Speaking ahead of his side’s 2-1 defeat to Portugal on Sunday, Clarke stressed that Doak needs to be protected and that he plans to manage his minutes while still young.
“‘He’s not ready to play 90 minutes…but we will try to bring him along slowly across the next couple of years,” Clarke said.
“He’s a young man trying to build his career and hopefully he progresses and becomes a big player for the country but we have to protect the boy.”
Clarke also alluded to the fact that Doak had been recovering from an injury suffered back in January and that given his limited number of minutes for Liverpool in pre-season, Scotland also had to be careful when managing his workload.
READ MORE: How Middlesbrough duo Ben Doak and Isaiah Jones fared on their international debuts
When will Ben Doak make Middlesbrough debut?
Doak will now return to Teeside following the end of the international break, where he will link up with his new teammates as the Championship resumes again this weekend.
Michael Carrick’s side face Preston North End on Saturday and Doak could be in line to make his debut following his deadline day loan move.
Boro will be looking for a first home win of the season after picking up the first three points of the league campaign against Cardiff City last time out.