By Noel Whelan

24th Apr, 2022 | 11:52am

Celtic and Rangers 'surviving' on player sales as Ben Doak to Liverpool confirmed - pundit

Noel Whelan has insisted Celtic and Rangers “can’t afford” not to cash in on young talent after Ben Doak completed a move to Liverpool.

The former Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the sale of both promising and proven talent helps the Glasgow giants “survive” at the top of the Scottish pyramid.

Doak, 16, took to his personal Instagram on Thursday (21 April) to confirm he has completed a move to Anfield, posting a picture of him signing a contract.

Football Insider revealed this month Liverpool had agreed a deal to sign the teenager as one of three new additions.

Whelan admitted while Ange Postecoglou would be frustrated, Celtic need the money to remain competitive.

Discussing Celtic’s disappointment of losing a young talent, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It’s inevitable. Even the giants of Celtic and Rangers, the stature they have in Scotland and in Europe and the big sides they are, they can’t afford not to sell.

“This is what keeps them surviving and being competitive in Europe and then the Scottish Premiership. They have to sell certain players to bring money into the football club.

That allows them to progress and keeps them at that level. It’s not ideal. But if you go and ask any of the top players if they would have a chance to move to the Premier League in England? That’s their pinnacle.

“They start off at a club. Inevitably if you become successful and do very well, I can’t see them staying there too much longer. Especially if one of the Premier League clubs come in.

“Because of the wage structure and the gap between finances between Scotland and England, it’s very hard to turn down. The managers must be really frustrated, but it’s just the order of things.”

In other news, Celtic and Rangers set for “unfair” treatment after “bizarre” development confirmed.