Former Celtic youth player Ben Doak "just didn't want to stay" at the club despite being given first-team game-time, according to his agent.

After playing just two times for the Scottish champions under Ange Postecoglou, he moved to Liverpool at the end of last season.

Since joining the Merseyside club, he has scored eight goals and provided six assists in 16 appearances for the youth teams this campaign.

The Scotland under-21 international also made his Anfield debut against Derby County in a recent League Cup match as he continues to work his way up the ranks.

His recent good form also earned him a place in Jurgen Klopp's squad for the club's training camp in Dubai.

Now his agent, former Celtic skipper Jackie McNamara, has revealed that he felt that Doak making an appearance against rivals Rangers might have persuaded the winger to stay at the club.

The Hoops academy graduate came on as a substitute during the 3-0 victory against the Ibrox side in February in what proved to be his last appearance for the club.

"In fairness, I thought the derby game might have swung it," he told the BBC. "Because my whole thing was, show the kid that you're going to keep him, show him that he's not behind six or seven other players.

"He doesn't want to play against Civil Service Strollers in the B team. But for the derby game he was getting bombarded for tickets, for this, for that, down where he lived in Ayrshire.

"He turned his phone off. You forget he was only 16. I asked what he was thinking and he just didn't want to stay.

"When Ben went down to visit Liverpool, Klopp said 'Ah Ben, I've seen your stuff'. Straight away he was made to feel really welcome."

READ MORE: Celtic, Johan Cruyff and Callum McGregor’s Men In Black moment

Tommy McIntyre, former Hoops B team coach and someone who Doak played under for a short period, says the Parkhead side did do what they could to keep the 17-year-old on their books.

"Celtic did try their very best to keep him," he said. "They gave him that platform to perform on the big stage, but it was ultimately his decision. 

"He was always highly thought of. It was only age that prevented me from bringing him in earlier to the B team, as you need to be 16.

"He wasn't with me long before Ange took him up to the first team. He's so exciting because he's a player that gets fans off their seat - when he gets the ball, he's so direct.

"He's got blistering pace and has a trick as well. He can get past people, he provides crosses into the box, he creates chances, he finishes."

McIntyre also praised the mindset of the Scotland under-21 international, commenting on how his attitude will take him right to the top.

"For someone so young to have that mental toughness is a great attribute to have," he added.

"The way he approached things was incredible. He has a real wining mentality and you could see that with the way he played. He was a joy to work with."