FROM THE BIG HOPE TO JUST THE WEE GUY

Euros 5 agony drives Ben on to repay Clarke's faith in him

- FRASER WILSON

HE was ready to head to Germany as the Tartan Army's big hope for the future and dreaming of an international debut on one of the biggest stages of all.

But, in Ben Doak's own words, he ended up just turning into "that wee guy again".

The wee lad from Ayrshire supporting Scotland on a night out in Glasgow with his mates and going home early, just like the team, after another gutwrenching disappointment.

Just one more of the Tartan Army left with their dreams ultimately in tatters.

Only Doak could be excused for feeling that little bit more aggrieved than even the most loyal footsoldier.

The footballing gods turned their back on the Liverpool teenager in June as he was preparing for the latest milestone in his meteoric career.

A knee injury which had seen him previously go under the knife returned to halt him in his tracks days before Steve Clarke's squad boarded the plane for Germany.

Doak still struggles to shake the feeling of what might have been. All he can do is make sure he grabs hold of the opportunity Clarke's given him after making his delayed debut in last month's Nations League clash with Poland.

It's a start he hopes can lead him to a major finals sooner rather than later and help erase the pain of missing out on Germany.