Preston boss Ryan Lowe has heaped praise on teenager Mikey O’Neill after his impressive cameo against Barnsley on Saturday afternoon.
North End went away to Barnsley on Saturday afternoon and came away with a 3-1 victory.
Preston did fall behind to Aiden Marsh’s opener but came back with three unanswered goals to claim the win.
Daniel Johnson’s brace flipped the game on its head before Emil Riis made it three.
It could have been even more in all honesty as substitute O’Neill carved out a couple of fine openings.
The teenager dragged one shot wide of target before a superb run teed up Seani Maguire, only for him to shoot straight at Jack Walton.
This was a hugely encouraging performance from O’Neill, who appears to be Lowe’s favourite prospect at the club.
Lowe has repeatedly hailed O’Neill having been impressed with the 17-year-old in North End’s youth ranks.
O’Neill has been scoring regularly in the youth team this season and was given a first-team debut against Queens Park Rangers on April 9th.
On Saturday, O’Neil was given 11 minutes to show what he can do and certainly left Preston fans blown away with his display.
O’Neill looked confident and skilful on the ball with his futsal background contributing to his technical ability.
It looks like Lowe views O’Neill as a striker rather than a number 10 and we could see much, much more of him going forward.
As quoted by Lancs Live after the final whistle on Saturday, Lowe suggested that O’Neill’s display against Barnsley was ‘different class’.
Lowe added that he thinks O’Neill is a ‘special talent’, hinting that the teenager is set for more first-team action next season and beyond.
“From the first time he came up with us, nothing fazes him,” said Lowe. “I thought he looked different class on the ball out there and he got a bit carried away with a flick around the corner, but he’d done everything so well. He said he dragged a shot wide but I thought his movement, his hold up play, his runs with and without the ball – he’s a bit of a special talent, I must say.”
“He is going to be alright, so I’m really pleased and it would’ve put the icing on the cake if Mikey scored,” he added.