Ireland's next superstar

Is there another Roy Keane in the pipeline out there? For years we have been blessed with a continual flow of top class players. You know the kind? They break into the first team at top clubs early and are almost undroppable from the time they make the senior side. Think Liam Brady, Roy Keane, Damien Duff, Shay Given and arguably Robbie Keane.

Do we have any outstanding player under the age of 23 that most teams in the world would love to have in their side? Is there one on the way through?

The players we are talking about at the moment for the future are players like Kevin Doyle who is now 22 and has only ever done it a Championship level, Stephen Ireland who broke into the first team at City, but is now out of the side again, ditto Joey O’Brien and even he was played at right back and not his supposed first choice at central midfield.

Where are our Wayne Rooney or Ashley Cole equivelants? I know these are rare and special players, but really we need to be producing one of these type of players every five or so years. Have we got a player that is going to come through the ranks and make people sit up and take notice. The whole world, not just us desperado’s that trawl the lower divisions squad lists for 26 year old journeymen that might have an Irish surname.

So in summary.

Are there any?
Who are they?
Tell me why?

Who knows?

Owen Garvan if all goes well for him.

McGeady has huge potential to be the most skillful player ever seen in our national side. He is capable of pulling out Ronaldinho-esque tricks. He'll need to be given time to develop though as he has yet to put it to lethal effect. He's certainly imporved since he first came on the scene at Celtic.

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Originally Posted by Poor Student

McGeady has huge potential to be the most skillful player ever seen in our national side. He is capable of pulling out Ronaldinho-esque tricks. He'll need to be given time to develop though as he has yet to put it to lethal effect. He's certainly imporved since he first came on the scene at Celtic.

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This is what I’m on about. If McGeady was that good, he would be undroppable. But he has had two seasons in the first team at Celtic and this season he has only started 10 games. It doesn’t make me think he’s going to go on and have the impact a Roy Keane or Liam Brady had in their career.

Is it the case that maybe we might not have any really top class players coming through and might have to make do with decent Premiership players in the future, but no real stars.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Who knows?

Owen Garvan if all goes well for him.

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That’s the thing isn’t it. With Roy Keane, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, we all knew within a few games of them making their debut that they would make it right to the top.

There doesn’t seem to be that buzz about any of the current crop or anyone for a while.

Maybe I’m asking too much…I don’t know.

My thoughts were Garvan too, but the only clubs I’ve heard that are meant to be interested are teams like West Ham, Charlton and maybe Everton. If he is going to reach the very top you might expect a Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottehham or God help us, Chelsea to be sniffing around. Not to say he won’t reach the top, but where are the young players we can really buzz about?

There has been plenty in terms of quantity, but where is the genuine quality the past 5 or so years? The most recent batch are all in their mid twenties now (Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne, Stephen Reid, John O’Shea).

What would our under 23 team look like at the moment?

It's harder to break into the Old Firm than most clubs as the demand for success is instant and managers are reluctant to blood youngsters. Shaun Maloney who is an excellent player has only finally nailed down a first team place after appearing on the scene 5 years ago. McGeady was doing well this season but got injured. He could figure heavily next season.

mcgeady has been pretty unlucky with injuries

Mac Geady needs to build himself up a bit. Thats the problem with wingers. they are always doing their hamstrings in then they go off the boil. I wouldnt be looking to a winger for the next superstar.

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Originally Posted by Kevin77

That’s the thing isn’t it. With Roy Keane, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, we all knew within a few games of them making their debut that they would make it right to the top.

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That was "back then" though. Back then you could lose half a dozen games a year & still win the PL at a canter. Back then it was far less common to spend £25mm on an Essien or Diarra. In fact this type of trade was almost unheard of then, and I'm not just talking about the fee. Footballers are a global commodity now. Back then the financial difference between the top 3 & the rest wasn't as big as it is today. Would Man United or Chelsea today buy the Chamionship's best young midfielder & throw him straight into the side? Look at SWP for example.

I think our next crop of stars will have to take a far different route to the top, unless they just happen to be at a big club already.

Next Roy Keane...?

Is it one of those guys?

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Originally Posted by Kevin77

Where are our Wayne Rooney or Ashley Cole equivelants?

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Since when has Ashley Cole been so good? Arsenal have been their most solid in years since him and Campbell have been dropped/injured. Says it all really. He's s***e defensively, can't cross the ball, can't pass, never scores in a team that's rampant and runs around a lot like a headless chicken. We have one of them already at left back - John O'Shea.

Cole is very average at best IMO. Check Arsenal's defensive stats since him and Campbell were out of the team compared to when they were in it and it shows. I never understand how much these players can get so hyped up because they are English Internationals. Saying that he's better than Ian Harte.

In answer to your question Ireland and O'Brien have massive potential if they are already playing regularly in the Premiership at 19. Cole wasn't playing regularly for Arsenal when he was 19 it was Silvinho wasn't it? Garvan looks good also though he needs to be playing in the Premiership to reallly get an idea of how good he can be. Not too impressed with McGeady I agree with the comment that if he's not a first team player for Celtic at 20 then that doesn't say much.

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Originally Posted by Kevin77

Is there another Roy Keane in the pipeline out there? For years we have been blessed with a continual flow of top class players. You know the kind? They break into the first team at top clubs early and are almost undroppable from the time they make the senior side. Think Liam Brady, Roy Keane, Damien Duff, Shay Given and arguably Robbie Keane.

Do we have any outstanding player under the age of 23 that most teams in the world would love to have in their side? Is there one on the way through?

The players we are talking about at the moment for the future are players like Kevin Doyle who is now 22 and has only ever done it a Championship level, Stephen Ireland who broke into the first team at City, but is now out of the side again, ditto Joey O’Brien and even he was played at right back and not his supposed first choice at central midfield.

Where are our Wayne Rooney or Ashley Cole equivelants? I know these are rare and special players, but really we need to be producing one of these type of players every five or so years. Have we got a player that is going to come through the ranks and make people sit up and take notice. The whole world, not just us desperado’s that trawl the lower divisions squad lists for 26 year old journeymen that might have an Irish surname.

So in summary.

Are there any?
Who are they?
Tell me why?

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Firstly 3 of those players you mention are still actually playing for Ireland and still have years left in them. Given is perhaps the best keeper we have ever had. Duff is the best winger I've seen play for Ireland and Robbie Keane is our top scorer and is only coming into his prime.

Remember the likes of McGrath, Keane, Moran all went to England late and still had great careers so the likes of Kevin Doyle and other EL players could do the same.

Also, just because a player who breaks into the first team at a youn age and doesn't stay there doesn't mean he won't be an excellent player. The likes of Duff, Keane and Rooney all broke into first team football early but went through periods of being on the bench.

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Originally Posted by youngirish

I never understand how much these players get overhyped because they are English Internationals.

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There's a two-word answer to that. "Sky Sports".

:ball: PP

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Originally Posted by Kevin77

This is what I’m on about. If McGeady was that good, he would be undroppable. But he has had two seasons in the first team at Celtic and this season he has only started 10 games. It doesn’t make me think he’s going to go on and have the impact a Roy Keane or Liam Brady had in their career.

Is it the case that maybe we might not have any really top class players coming through and might have to make do with decent Premiership players in the future, but no real stars.

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IIRC Roy Keane only moved to Forest at 19. What age is McGeady? Duff broke into the Blackburn side early yet wasn't a regular for a couple of seasons. It also took him a while to become a regular for Ireland.

I have being asking myself the same questions now for long while Kevin 77.Of all the players who you mention Roy Keane rarely had a bad game for club or Country. I find it very difficult to understand why there is no Irishman out there who can play like he could. Look at the GAA, there are always outstanding individuals in every counties team, those who stand miles out from the rest and they continue to come through.Why can't this happen in Football.

What made/makes Roy Keane different than the others? Look at the likes of Lampard and Gerrard in the English squad. Why can't we breed a human who can play football like them.Instead we look to beg second rate Englishmen? I really can't comment on Garvan as I have not seen him play but when we have to dig deep in order to find our next Keane/Brady it’s a little scary.

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Originally Posted by colster

IIRC Roy Keane only moved to Forest at 19. What age is McGeady? Duff broke into the Blackburn side early yet wasn't a regular for a couple of seasons. It also took him a while to become a regular for Ireland.

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McGeady turned 20 a few weeks ago. He's played in the Champions League against AC Milan and performed well. Injuries and players ahead of him in the pecking order have lead him to have limited opportunities. O'Neill's style was to blood youngsters slowly and not let them burn out.

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Originally Posted by FarBeag

I have being asking myself the same questions now for long while Kevin 77.Of all the players who you mention Roy Keane rarely had a bad game for club or Country. I find it very difficult to understand why there is no Irishman out there who can play like he could. Look at the GAA, there are always outstanding individuals in every counties team, those who stand miles out from the rest and they continue to come through.Why can't this happen in Football.

What made/makes Roy Keane different than the others? Look at the likes of Lampard and Gerrard in the English squad. Why can't we breed a human who can play football like them.Instead we look to beg second rate Englishmen? I really can't comment on Garvan as I have not seen him play but when we have to dig deep in order to find our next Keane/Brady it’s a little scary.

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Shay Given????

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Originally Posted by Kevin77

That’s the thing isn’t it. With Roy Keane, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, we all knew within a few games of them making their debut that they would make it right to the top.

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If we knew that Duff would make it at the top after a few games then we certainly know that McGeady will. He has been unfortunate this season with injuries but people are underestimating how hard it is for a young winger to break into the Celtic team atm. Maloney and Nakamura are absolutely outstanding players. McGeady will be a star, there's no doubt about that.

Put it this way, if McGeady was released tomorrow there'd be no shortage of world class teams snapping him up. His potential is enormous. I don't think Ireland have ever had a player as naturally talented as him. He just doesn't have the football brain of a Messi or Rooney which is unfortunate so tends to take the wrong option a lot of the time.

Strachan is the man to get the best out of McGeady. He'll have to sort out a system to fit him in as Maloney and Nakamura are too good to be dropped. Next season is a big season for him and it'll give us much more of an idea of how he's progressing.

You have to remember, Duffer was hardly setting Division 1 alight at the age of 20/21 and it was only at the world cup that he actually cemented his place in the Ireland first team. McGeady has lots of time.

Chris McCann has had a pretty good first season at Burnley and is one to keep an eye out for aswell as the obvious players:
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrosst...p?newsid=22225

Brady and before him Giles had world class senior debuts at an early age.
Its a rarity that a 17 or 18 y.o. hits the international stage with such an impact that you know "He has come".
Wenger says that usually its about age 19 that you know if a player has the neccessary mental toughness to make it to the next stage.
After watching the RTE sports files last week of our wc 2002 game against Germany. Duff was simply outstanding, with his back to the defender turning right or left with electric pace and skill. I know this one has been well discussed before but there is a definite feeling that a lot of that skill has been put to sleep.

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Originally Posted by geysir

Brady and before him Giles had world class senior debuts at an early age.
Its a rarity that a 17 or 18 y.o. hits the international stage with such an impact that you know "He has come".
Wenger says that usually its about age 19 that you know if a player has the neccessary mental toughness to make it to the next stage.
After watching the RTE sports files last week of our wc 2002 game against Germany. Duff was simply outstanding, with his back to the defender turning right or left with electric pace and skill. I know this one has been well discussed before but there is a definite feeling that a lot of that skill has been put to sleep.

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Duff was excellent against Sweden in the last game.

Duff to Spurs in the Summer.

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Originally Posted by colster

Duff was excellent against Sweden in the last game.

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He was for sure. Bear it mind it was a friendly and Duff was given the space and an opponent similar to that Denmark friendly.

Ireland's next superstar? Keep your eyes on Steven Reid.

Kevin Doyle, winner of the PFA award for the Championship
might he not rise to the top in the Premiership too?

I would've thought Steven Reid going back a few years ago. But I think he's found his level.

I'd like to see Garvan keep below the radar at Ipswich for another season or two rather than run the risk of warming the bench at a mediocre premiership club. He's still very young. I also think we forget how young McGeady is.

Next Superstar? Hard to say. Sure they'll never be considered a superstar unless they're playing for one of the big four of their respective eras.

Mentioning Rooney is setting the bar very high,even with the hype he is a genius.How about Stokes at the Gunners or young Nolan at Blackburn?

I'm sure Kevin Thornton thinks it's himself...

Funny thread. There's about 50 players in the world at level you're talking about (Keane before hand, Rooney now - I'll leave the ashley cole one alone) and that being generous. Ireland has no right to expect another one for a while.

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Originally Posted by Dodge

Funny thread. There's about 50 players in the world at level you're talking about (Keane before hand, Rooney now - I'll leave the ashley cole one alone) and that being generous. Ireland has no right to expect another one for a while.

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Yeah, pretty funny.
To me superstar means a Ronaldinho, a Zidane, Sheva etc, etc.
We sure as sch!t don't have any of those.

We don't even have an up and coming one of those, i.e a Messi, a Fabregas, a Rooney etc etc.

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Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

I think S Reid has had a superb season. If Man Utd were to splash the cash in the summer he could do some damage there next season.

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Don't get me wrong. I also think he's had a good season. And I also think he's the raw attributes to rival the top midfeilders in England. I've been hyping him for a couple of years on various message boards. But I don't think from what I've seen he has the bottle to be the driving force at a big club. His injuries aside he still took too long for my liking to settle at Blackburn, so in a couldron like Old Trafford I fear he could suffer the same fate as Miller not to mention many other big name midfielders over the years. He could defo do the donkey work for a seasoned midfeilder but I don't think he could take the reigns in the middle at a club like United.

I've an awful lot of time for him as a player but I think he's found his level at Blackburn. He's playing well. The teams going in the right direction. Why rock the boat when we've so few regular first team premiership players. While I wouldn't begrudge him a move or step up I hope he stays.

Maybe I didn’t express what I intended to clearly in my original posts (wouldn’t be the first time). I am not saying a nation the size of Ireland has any divine right to churn out players of the ilk of Keane, Duff, Given etc continuosly. I am merely pointing out that it has been some time since a young player has come through and given me the feeling that they will reach the very top. That managers such as Ferguson, Wenger, Mourinho etc will all be scrambling for the chequebook or alternatively discussing how they don’t want to expose them to too much too soon (the true sign of a world class talent emerging).

It wasn’t meant to be a demand that we roll out the Shevchenko’s, Ronaldinhio’s etc every other year.

As for McGeady, I’ve got to be honest I don’t know what all the fuss is about. I’ve kept pretty quiet on the subject since his arrival on the scene a few years ago, but I’m yet to be hit by what it is that McGeady can offer at the top level. I really hope I am wrong, but I am starting to think it is a romantic notion that a young Irish international comes good out of everyone’s favourite other team. It hasn’t been six months where he has failed to consistently perform, it’s been two years. He has had fits and starts and not really much else.

To compare him to Duff is to fail to acknowledge the undeniable impact Duff had in the Premiership at a similar age. Everyone was convinced about Duff. You just knew he would be close to World Class. He just had to grow up a bit. I hope this is the case with McGeady, but given the quality of players he is up against for selection and also those he is playing against week in week out, ten starts this season for a very average Celtic side is not filling me with hope.

The comparisons with Keane are also not really fair. Once Keane was in any side he played in post 16 years of age, he stayed there. He made a massive impact, became the main man and then moved on until he reached the very top. The same can be said of the vast majority of the other top drawer professionals floating about (Gerrard, Lampard etc).

We are all guilty of looking at players like McPhail, Colin Healy, Dominic Foley etc and wondering/hoping they will be the next big thing, but history seems to be teaching us that for every player that goes to the very top, there are another 20 (?) that break into the first team, make 20 appearances, get proclaimed the next big thing and then end up at Doncaster in their mid twenties. Is this the fate of Stephen Ireland, Aiden McGeady, Joey O’Brien etc.

Personally I’m liking what I’ve heard of Garvan. He doesn’t seem to be suffering from the old ‘is a bit lightweight and needs to hit gym scenario’ that prevails. But who actually knows?

So my question purely was, who is the next one? Is there a next one?

mcgeady is not careful he will be on the same boat to nowhere as Andy Turner an Alan Moore and Moore had more talent than McGeady could dream off. I feel sorry for McGeady struggling to get into a side the equivlient of a moderate premiership club like Aston Villa and nobody would be saying a 20 year old that could'nt get into a side like that as our next superstar. (to many people seeing through green mists). He should have come on by now. He will probably be an ok pro like Alan Quinn.

We have some exceptional players already, Duff Given and Robbie all of whom would get picked on an Irish all time eleven. That is more than most international teams have. I hope Kevin Doyle can progress and join these three superstars
I think with is attitude he will. I can't see anyone joing this band in the next 3 years

forgot to say I think Doyle can be as good as Thierry Henry

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Originally Posted by princeofoslo

mcgeady is not careful he will be on the same boat to nowhere as Andy Turner an Alan Moore and Moore had more talent than McGeady could dream off. I feel sorry for McGeady struggling to get into a side the equivlient of a moderate premiership club like Aston Villa and nobody would be saying a 20 year old that could'nt get into a side like that as our next superstar. (to many people seeing through green mists). He should have come on by now. He will probably be an ok pro like Alan Quinn.

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Until you see Maloney and Nakamura play I don't think you can make statements like that. McGeady has to fight with them for a place and atm I wouldn't have Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of either. Maybe I'm biased, I don't know. Real Madrid had agreed a fee for Nakamura after they won the Champions League in 2002. Maloney has just come back from 2 years out and won SPL Players player of the year in his first full year. They're really outstanding players and you'll find that out when they play in the CL next season.

McGeady had a bad start to the Strachan era. He was the only player to play in all the pre-season friendlies and I can't remember him having a good game. Strachan dropped him for Maloney and ever since he has been trying to break into the team. He got injured at the worst time possible. He had just came off the bench and single handedly won a match for Celtic in January only to get injured and has only recovered from that injury in the past 2 weeks. If you actually seen McGeady play since Strachan dropped him you'd know he is not going to become an Andy Turner. His determination to actually win the ball by tracking back is second to none for a winger. His work rate is excellent.

He even has players trying to do his tricks:
http://rapidshare.de/files/18511624/..._JuLo.avi.html

;)

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Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

Eirebhoy . . . I respect how much you care about Celtic and your knowledge of the SPL, but the calibre of players in that league is nowhere near as high as the Premiership.
Maybe McGeady needs to move on and develop somewhere else if he can't hack it in Scotland?

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Why can't he hack it in Scotland? He plays well in 60-70% of matches. All he needs is consistancy but Strachan is definitely the best man for him.

If you asked people what McGeady could improve on most, the majority would say his end product. McGeady got 6 goals and 11 assists in 25 starts last season. For an 18 year old in their first full season that seems a pretty decent return. He beats his opponent so easily that he will get himself free 5 or 6 times in a match. A goal might only come from one of those chances as his final ball is usually below par. While his goal/assist to game ratio is quite could, it should be much higher considering how easy he finds it to leave his man for dead.

Just to give me an excuse to post a McGeady video, this was McGeady's last game before injury in January. Celtic were drawing 1-1 when he came on. He scored, laid a goal on a plate for Hartson and hit the bar in his 30 minutes on the pitch.
http://media.putfile.com/McGeady-v-Motherwell

He probably would have got a decent run in the team after that cameo but as I said, injury couldn't have come at a worse time. Next season is a big season, I'd be very suprised if he doesn't cement a place in the Celtic team by then.

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Originally Posted by princeofoslo

forgot to say I think Doyle can be as good as Thierry Henry

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On current form Robbie Keane already is :D

And Thierry Henry can't do a cartwheel to save his life :D

If you alter the question to superstar by Irish standards, a first choice top notch player for our team like Stapleton or Robbie Keane then doesn't it look like Kevin Doyle is most likely to emerge.
Doyle has had a meteoric rise similar to what Robbie had with Wolves
His star is still rising, will play premier next season.
Most crucially hasn't been cursed with the next Brady comparison.
He is very confident, a goal scorer, one whoose manager values him the most from the forward line.
If Reading did not make it to the epl you could imagine there would be quite a few clubs sniffing around.

more on Adam Rooney, apologies if already posted, from the Stoke board;


Rooney making a name for himself

Mention the name Rooney around Stoke-on-Trent right now and thoughts of an England striker preparing to carry the hopes of a nation on his squat shoulders in this summer's World Cup finals in Germany couldn't be further from the mind.

The only Rooney in town in the Potteries is called Adam, not Wayne. City have their very own talent-filled forward with an eye for goal, as well as a trick up his sleeve - and one who has not been afraid to take the step up into senior football in his stride.

The 18-year-old - two years younger than his famous namesake - has set tongues wagging around the Britannia Stadium since his arrival from his native Ireland last summer and his first senior goal against Premiership-bound Reading recently only served to boost his growing reputation.

City may have lost the Easter encounter 3-1, but the goal midway through the second-half potentially offered a brief glimpse of the future.

If the teenager can build on the progress of his first-year in English soccer next season then something special could be on the cards.

The irony of the goal at Reading's Madejski Stadium was not lost on the young Irishman, who had a trial at the West Berkshire club before joining the Potters last August.

He recalls: "There were a few clubs showing an interest like Nottingham Forest and Reading, which was why I was so pleased to score the goal, and I also had a trial at West Ham, but Stoke showed the most interest in me and my ability and that was important to me.

"I know someone in Ireland who is linked with Stoke quite a bit and he had asked me to come over a couple of months before I did but I was just too busy.

"But when I had these other trials I thought I may as well link up with Stoke while I was over here.

"On the first day I played a friendly, got on the pitch and scored so I think I made a bit of an impression there. I just really liked the club, the people and the manager.

"The youth coach Noel Blake was probably the main reason I signed. The moment he walked out onto the training ground when I was on my trial, and I listened to what he had to say, I knew was a great coach. I hadn't seen another coach like him and I knew he would bring on my game like I wanted to."

Things have moved on at a lightning pace for a young player who made his club debut at three levels - Academy, reserve and first-team in less than nine months, culminating in that most special of moments at the Madejski Stadium?his first senior goal.

Adam Rooney celebrates his first senior goal. ACTION IMAGES

"Hopefully their will be a few more to come in the future - but I was more disappointed with the result than the fact that I'd scored because we ended up losing. It took the shine off it a little bit really.

"I was dying to celebrate it big-style because my mum and dad were behind that goal with all the Stoke fans.

"But as soon as it went in I realised we were still losing so I just ran back to our half and tried to carry on playing to see if I could do it again. But in the end the goal was wasted because they scored pretty much straight after I had.

"Afterwards I had more time to reflect on it and was absolutely delighted to get it so soon in my career at Stoke but my overriding emotion was that we had lost, which is unfortunate.

"Hopefully I'll get another chance and score when we win. If I manage to score a winning goal then even better."

Manager Johan Boskamp's insistence to blood City's Academy stars towards the latter end of the season has given Rooney, as well as many others, the chance to shine on the big stage.

But his re-appearance on the team sheet recently was no surprise after making an instant impact on his senior debut back in January.

The FA Cup Third Round clash with Conference side Tamworth was nearing a harrowing end with City 1-0 down and running out of time in the replay at The Lamb, when Adam was sent on to give City extra firepower.

With his first touch, he set up Paul Gallagher to score the equaliser in a tie eventually won on penalties, but the Ulsterman reveals the night will live long in his memory for a variety of reasons.

"The match was on the Tuesday and I got a phone call on the Saturday night from Noel Blake saying that I would be involved with the squad and would be travelling.

"All I knew was that I would be travelling with the squad - I didn't even think I would be on the bench. It was only a day or so before the game so I didn't really get the chance for any nerves to build up.

"I can't even remember what I was thinking when I was told I was going on. The gaffer just said to warm up so I just thought he was saying it to keep warm in case I had to go on for an injury or just to take up some time at the end of the match.

"But when I was stretching by the bench he let me know I was going on so I just got changed - I didn't have enough time to think about it. But its great being around the first team at all, it's a dream come true really."

And that dream was looking like becoming fantasy last month when, while playing for the Republic of Ireland Under 18's, national manager Steve Staunton expressed his admiration for the youngster

"In the last internationals we played against Hungary a few weeks ago, Staunton came in and talked to me before and after the game.

"So it is good to make a good impression and score goals while he's around because a spot in the full international squad is my ultimate aim.

With admirers at that level, the name Adam Rooney could soon be household one just like Manchester United's Wayne - and the future is certainly looking bright for City's very own potential superstar.

Courtesy Stoke City website

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Originally Posted by SaucyJack

more on Adam Rooney, apologies if already posted, from the Stoke board;


Rooney making a name for himself


With admirers at that level, the name Adam Rooney could soon be household one just like Manchester United's Wayne - and the future is certainly looking bright for City's very own potential superstar.

Courtesy Stoke City website

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Adam Rooney has just banged in a hattrick for Stoke away to Brighton. This kid must be something special.

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Originally Posted by TheJamaicanP.M.

This kid must be something special.

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Swallows and summers spring to mind. Or straw-clutching. ;)

It's best to wait until he's had a consistently high-performing season at this level before making those kind of pronouncements, no?

:ball: PP