BREAKING into the first team at Celtic is no cakewalk for a young player. Very few kids manage to make the step up from the age-group sides at Parkhead. The vast majority end up going elsewhere in order to get game time.
Ross Doohan certainly did when he was in the youth ranks. The goalkeeper had loan spells at Cumbernauld Colts, Morton, Ayr United, Ross County, Dundee United and Tranmere Rovers during the seven years that he spent on the books at the Glasgow giants as a young man before finally signing permanently for the latter back in 2022.
But Doohan, who has returned to the East End following a successful two year spell at Aberdeen, still believes that he knows exactly what is required to play for the Scottish champions, what standards he has to attain both on and off the pitch, as a result of his first stint.
Bringing Celtic legend John Clark, who tragically passed away at the age of 84 on Monday, sweet treats on a regular basis when the Lisbon Lion was the kit man and then listening to his stories made him realise the levels that he needs to reach on a weekly basis.
The 27-year-old, who signed a three year contract at his old club last week, was distraught when he learned the sad news about Clark earlier on this week.
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“When I was younger I used to come in with cakes,” he said. “There would be John, Hugh McGovern, Steve Wright and Hugh Hoolihan in the kit room. I used to spend hours in there after training, just sitting and talking to them.
“So it's devastating to hear about John because he's such a legend, he's such a big part of this club. My deepest condolences go to his family. It's obviously not nice to hear at all. “I was here full-time from when I was 16 until when I was 23. So I always saw him in and about the training ground at Lennoxtown and about the stadium. He was a great guy and had great charisma. It's just a massive loss for the club because he was a massive part of this club. “There were always wee stories. But John was always the type of person who would just see himself as a normal person. But what he's done in the game for this club is massive and he will never be forgotten. It's just such a shame.
“But the type of guy he was, you’d never think he was a Lisbon Lion in the way he acted. I think he didn't realise how big an influence he had on so many people at this club. Including me and all the youth team when I was there.
“He didn't speak to you about football, it was more about what you were like as a person, which I think is more important. He'd speak about working hard and your attitude and everything. He will just be a massive loss and it's devastating to hear.”
Having to vie with Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo for a place in Brendan Rodgers’ starting line-up in the 2025/26 campaign will be tough for Doohan.
However, the man who made 18 appearances for Aberdeen last term and picked up a Scottish Cup winner’s medal in May is delighted to be back at Celtic and is looking forward to the challenge.
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“It means a lot to sign for Celtic again,” he said. “I feel like I grew up here. I knew I had to probably leave. It was the best for me at that time. With just the one position as a goalkeeper, I felt I had to go out and play. But the loan spells were great when I was here before and when I went away permanently I got a lot of game time. “I know the club quite well because I have spent a lot of my life here and I know what's expected of being a Celtic player. Obviously winning games is great, but the way you conduct yourself and come across is very important too.
“So I think knowing the club and the size of the club will maybe make it a bit easier for me coming in. I have had the previous experience, growing up here and having to leave to come back.
“Coming from the youth system here, being from Glasgow, I know how big the club is. My family are all Celtic fans and it's just a great honour to be back. It was always a pull when I left here, it was always a dream to come back.” Doohan continued, “I've got to back myself. I've just got to go out and train and work hard and then any opportunity I get, I need to grasp it. I need to train hard during the week to be ready for the game at the weekend, whether I'm playing or not. “That's life as a goalkeeper, you always need to be ready. So that's what I'm going to do, work hard and just prepare like I'm playing every game. “I feel like competition's healthy everywhere. If you're competing with people, that'll bring out the best in you. So that's what I'm looking to do, looking to come in, push on and really see what happens and just hopefully make a stamp in the squad here.”
