Ben Gannon-Doak: 20-year-old steals the show in Scotland's World Cup return
Ben Gannon-Doak, 20, was the center of attention as Scotland sealed their return to the men's World Cup — and secured their first tournament win in a decade — with victory over Haiti.
In the 54th minute of the match, Ben Gannon-Doak roared, clenched his fist and gasped for air after shielding the ball and forcing it out for Scotland's goal-kick. He gave the celebration as if he had scored himself — and the Tartan Army at Boston Stadium could feel the emotion. For many who followed the team in Massachusetts, that was the moment that showed just how important the win in that opener against Haiti was.
Scott McTominay started despite having just recovered from a stomach bug, while John McGinn — who later became the player of the match — was also given a chance and Lawrence Shankland led the attack. But the show was hijacked by a 20-year-old who wasn't even born during Scotland's last appearance on the biggest stage.
It was two years ago that Gannon-Doak was a surprise inclusion in Steve Clarke's squad for Euro 2024. But he was forced to withdraw through injury and missed the German campaign. According to him in an interview with Sky Sports, "The Euros probably came a bit too early, but I don't think I would have played if I was there. I think if I did go and play, I wouldn't have given the best account of myself that I know that I could have done." (he said recently).
There is no shortage tonight. Sparkling and full of energy on the international stage, the Bournemouth winger showed why many Scotland supporters were worried when he was forced off with difficulty against Denmark in the last qualifier in November—after setting up McTominay for an overhead kick. That injury—his third serious injury in as many years—left his hamstring "hanging on by a thread." But in his major finals debut, clearly prepared and focused.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_sport/1200/cpsprodpb/bb09/live/03a6b590-67d8-11f1-9c4b-77e30dd66647.jpg" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>Getting noticed is nothing new for Gannon-Doak. At the age of 16 he left Celtic for the Premier League for Liverpool—a move that didn't come easy as he suffered major injuries and the sadness of being away from home. He found faith again as a support: he says he felt "God calling me" and he declares that it gave him strength and stability. In the BBC Scotland documentary, he said he prays before games and reads the Bible in private.
In the game against Haiti, it was obvious that if something were to happen, Gannon-Doak would be at the very center of the action. He often chooses to attack whenever the ball is received on the right flank — a scene that excites the Scotland supporters. When McTominay hit the post, it stemmed from another quick run by Gannon-Doak. He set up Che Adams who was awarded a save, and the rebound went to McGinn who celebrated in style as he scored Scotland's first World Cup goal since 1998.
Until the 83rd minute, he was the youngest player to appear for Scotland at the World Cup — until his 19-year-old teammate Findlay Curtis entered. The style of these two is light and free; they don't carry the weight of past failures and it shows right away.
Gannon-Doak left about 15 minutes before the end of the game—causing some scuffling from fans—but the praise didn't stop. "He had a cracker tonight," former winger Pat Nevin told BBC Sportsound. "He's what you want a Scotland player to be," added former captain Scott Brown on BBC One.
This level of hope is rarely refreshing, but with the 20-year-old's run, it's hard not to have faith and hope again for Scotland supporters.
