Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin hailed the confidence of emerging young star Sean Moore after the teenager's ice-cool penalty against Linfield on Tuesday night.
Moore - who made his senior Reds debut one year ago at the age of just 16 - produced a Panenka finish amid a high-pressure shootout at Solitude to bolster his burgeoning reputation.
And despite Linfield going on to win in sudden death, McLaughlin believes Moore's contribution during the game warranted praise.
Read more: BetMcLean Cup live stream info for Wednesday's double draw
“I’m sure his family are very proud of him because he’s so grounded and so down to earth," McLaughlin's told Cliftonville's website.
"You wouldn’t think he’s got the quality he has by talking to him. He’s a credit to himself and his family but the dink down the middle was bad enough – the fact he didn’t even spot the ball properly and let the keeper do it for him just tells you his confidence is sky high.”
Meanwhile, McLaughlin warned his senior stars that the club's emerging youngsters are ready to throw down their claim for a regular slot in his side.
The Reds used Tuesday night's County Antrim Shield clash with Linfield to blood a number of young players.
Included in McLaughlin's side were goalkeeper Fynn Talley, fellow 20-year-olds Jamie Robinson and Odhran Casey, and exciting teenage winger Moore.
And despite bowing out of the competition on penalties,McLaughlin says the youngsters proved they are more than ready for the big stage.
“I’m delighted with the performance, I thought we were really good,” McLaughlin told Cliftonville's website.
“It’s probably the youngest side we’ve ever put on the pitch.
“Maybe after a couple of minutes, we didn’t get up with the speed of the game straight away and they’ve scored a brilliant goal right and early but, from then on and right through the 90 minutes, I thought our boys were excellent.
“We’d a lot of young boys out there who held their own and bettered Linfield across a lot of the game. We can see the future’s definitely bright at the Club with so much young talent coming through and we can only hold them back for so long.
“I’ve warned the senior players that these boys are coming for their places and they will get their chances. They’ve definitely given me something to think about from here on in because those young boys are ready to play and aren’t just here to make up the numbers.
“I think the fans appreciated the performance, you saw them waiting for the players to leave the pitch; they didn’t leave until they clapped them off which shows how much they appreciated it. That means a lot to the players, but obviously we’re here to win games and that’s the only thing that disappoints because I felt we deserved it.”
READ NEXT:
- Ireland women's team apologise after singing pro-IRA song after World Cup result
Baraclough believes Euro draw offers NI chance to repeat 2016 heroics
Fans rally around family of NI football supporter who died abroad
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
