Linfield Academy chief Glenn Ferguson says Rangers-bound teenagers Blaine McClure and Callum Burnside are "benchmarks" for others to follow.
The teenage midfielders have signed three-year deals with the Light Blues after impressing for Linfield's underage sides.
Windsor Park legend Ferguson has watched the pair progress through the ranks at the Blues, and admits it was apparent from an early stage that they would earn moves into full-time football.
Read more: Carl Frampton hails North Belfast teen footballer after Rangers move
"They have been with our academy for a number of years and they deserve their moves," Ferguson said.
"They are both very good players and they have brilliant attitudes. They have also been around Club NI and represented their country.
"I always call Blaine the 'wee old man'. He is small in stature but has a massive heart.
"And when you seem him playing, some of the tackles would scare you. He is afraid of nobody and he can dictate games with the way he gets on the ball and makes things happen.
"Burnsy is a different type of player. he is a box-to-box midfielder who can score goals. He is good on both sides.
"He is very strong and he can strike a ball like a man. He is built like a man and plays like one, despite his young age.
"So they are exceptional young talents and I am delighted for them."
'Spike' added: "When it comes to Linfield Football Club, we only want players who are totally committed and dedicated.
"When we recruit players and try to bring players in, that's what we look at. You need to be committed, you need to be focused on what you want to do.
"You have to work hard and do the extra training to make yourself the best you can. And that's what these two lads have done, as have a number of others at the academy who will hopefully get moves this summer.
"Blaine and Burnsy are examples of hard work paying off and both of them will go on and do well. They are perfect benchmarks."
Irish League legend Ferguson, who is currently Linfield's head of youth, has watched many talented young footballers never make it in football.
He believes ability can only take you so far, with attitude and desire two key components that can determine if a young player hits the next level.
"I have seen players come and go. Some of them are technically very good," he added.
"But I always say that 90 per cent of becoming a footballer is wanting to succeed and having a desire to work hard. And the other 10 per cent is ability which comes out in the end.
"You have to be willing to compete with the best players. These boys both have the footballing talent and desire to do well, and they are really focused on what they want to do."
Ferguson believes McClure and Burnside's moves to Rangers further highlights the positive work being done within Linfield's burgeoning academy.
"We have been very fortunate. Since I got involved with Linfield's academy, and Davy Chisholm before me, we have seen a lot of players make it across the water," he added.
"There have been about 20 who have earned moves. Some are still in England and Scotland, some have come home. But that's a healthy number, and we should have more heading across the water this summer.
"We try and develop good players, and if they don't make it across the water they now have the option of our full-time academy which combines football with education.
"We have 11 on it at the minute and we have another 13 registrations for next year. So we will have 24-25 for the start of next season which is a good number.
"And every player on it right now has had the opportunity to train with David Healy's first-team squad, so it gives them that carrot to go on and do well."
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