Many will be hoping to look up to the winger when Scotland make their World Cup return this summer, in Group C with Brazil, Haiti and Morocco.
Though Gannon-Doak only lasted 20 minutes in that epic match with Denmark in November, he more than played his part by lifting in the inch-perfect ball for Scott McTominay to score, arguably, Scotland’s greatest goal of all time.
“It felt brilliant that he made me look decent… and made himself look even better,” he said of the Napoli star’s overhead kick.
“I couldn’t believe what Scotty had done. When all the lads just looked at each other we were like, ‘that’s unbelievable’.”
From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in just over 15 minutes, he recalls in being a “rollercoaster”. But one which God ensured was a safe ride.
“My faith is my biggest support, so while I had one million things going through my mind – mostly ‘why is this happening?’ – I just had to shut up and trust God,” he explained.
“It’s almost a kind of fight against myself to keep my mind on God and to remember all the things he tells us. But it was a rollercoaster, I must admit.”
It’s a ride he believes he’s coming to the end of, as the exciting live-wire insists he will “definitely” be fit come Clarke’s tournament-squad announcement, but he will “not be rushing anything” by putting pressure on a return date.
“I just want to make sure everything’s good and that I’m fit and ready for the summer,” he said. “Hopefully I can finish the season strong to set myself up for it.
“God brings that calmness.”
