BEN DOAK doesn’t see faces, just shapes in opposition shirts.
He doesn’t see superstar price tags, just full-backs to be skinned.
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But one thing’s for sure.
Josko Gvardiol will have be seeing that wee fella’s coupon in his nightmares for a while yet.
That’s twice the £77million Manchester City defender has come up against Scotland teenage wing sensation – and twice he’s come off a distant second best.
Early in the first half, Doak nutmegged him and spun into space to set up a chance thst so nearly put Steve Clarke’s side ahead.
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Then, with just four minutes left, he turned on the afterburners to leave his marker panting for the set-up that let John McGinn seal a famous win.
Doak’s was a display that earned a standing ovation from a 49,000 crowd when he was subbed in the dying moments and then the Man of the Match award.
Yet he came away the coolest dude in the place.
Asked how he felt after such a defining 90 minutes, he smiled: “I’m tired, mate, really tired.
“But it was great. I really enjoyed the game out there, especially the second half.
“The red card definitely helped us. It gave me the room to do what I do best, which is get at the full-back.
“Gvardiol’s one of the best in the world, isn’t he? So it’s good to test yourself against players of that calibre.
“We both had our moments when we got the better of each other, but I’ve loved both games against him.
“When I went past him early in the first half I didn’t realise it had gone through his legs, I just flicked it and hoped it’d come out the other side, which it did.
“We were unfortunate not to score from that one, but it was another moment I enjoyed.
“I don’t see faces on the park, I just see a kit and a blank face. I don’t take notice of reputations.
“I just believe that if I’m good enough to be on the pitch then I should be up to whoever I’m against.
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“At the goal it looked like I shot, but I didn’t actually mean to – I just tried to smash it across the six-yard box and cause a bit of carnage.
“As it went, that’s what happened. We got that wee bit of luck and it fell to John to put it away.
“As for the fans, I know there was a good reaction when I came off near the end, but I thought they just did that for every sub to be honest!
“I ended up taking the long way round the pitch, but I didn’t want to, I wanted to waste a bit of time.
“But you do what the ref tells you, because you don’t want any silly bookings.
“It’s nice to get a round of applause from everyone in the stadium, though.
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“I don’t really notice the crowd during the game. I try to do my best for the team and that’s all.
“Everything just seems to black out except what’s happening on the pitch – but it was good to see everyone so happy at the goal, because we were due a win.
“Whether it’s with Scotland or Middlesbrough, I’m playing beside so many matchwinners and if I can help us win the game, that’ll do me.
“If it comes down to one of my actions then great. If it’s someone else’s then that’s also great, just as long as we win.
“I just love playing football.
“I had a tough period out with injury, so you can imagine how frustrating that was. To be back playing is great.”
This was the 19-year-old’s third international start on the bounce and he now looks a cert to make it four as the Scots go for a win away to Poland that could still keep us in Nations League top flight automatically.
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And he said: “I love playing for this team. It’s really tough playing some of the best teams in the world, like Portugal last time.
That’s when you really get your eyes opened to the quality and the level we need to be at.”
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