Preston North End’s Adam O’Reilly returned to Stalybridge Celtic on loan last week and has already been on the receiving end of huge praise for the Staly manager.
The 20 year-old midfielder played six games for the side two seasons ago and joins them again in the Northern Premier League.
He enjoyed a spell in Ireland with Waterford last season and is looking to get as much football under his belt as possible.
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O’Reilly was up against another North End teammate out on loan in Jack Baxter on Saturday as Stalybridge Celtic faces Radcliffe.
Radcliffe were 2-1 winners but O’Reilly came close to scoring with a half-volley which hit the crossbar.
His manager Simon Haworth was delighted with his display though.
“I thought Adam was excellent and I think he is a fantastic little player. We saw that in the first half, he’s hit the cross bar, he’s everywhere and he’s done an unbelievable cross for the goal. He ran the show and was the best player on the pitch in the first half. He tired a bit second half, but he needs football.
“Adam is a different class and if you get the chance to bring in a player that is better than the level, he’s probably leagues above this level, you can see that from the first half, he’s come into a team and been our best player so you don’t turn that down.”
With Preston’s current first team failing to impress it would be great to see a few younger players given a chance.
It would also give the fans something to get behind as there’s nothing better watching someone come through the ranks and break into the first team.
For more on Adam O’Reilly, read him sharing how Trevor Hemmings brought him to Preston.