Motherwell boss Steven Hammell has revealed top clubs in England and Scotland have been chasing teenage talent Lennon Miller for years - but insists he is not aware of Newcastle United trying to prise away the 16-year-old.
The midfielder, from Wishaw, became Motherwell's youngest ever player on August 31 when he came on in a 4-0 Premier Sports Cup quarter-final win over Inverness and reports this week have linked the Magpies with a potential swoop.
There are high hopes for the Scotland youth international - who once scored from the halfway line against England for the under-16s at the age of 14 - and Hammell is not surprised to hear clubs may be interested in the son of former Aberdeen striker Lee Miller because clubs have already tried to lure Lennon away.
Asked if Newcastle have shown an interest, former academy director Hammell said: "I've not heard anything.
"But I think every team in Scotland, England and even beyond will know of Lennon because of the player he is.
"We've had a number of approaches for Lennon over the last five or six years from all these teams in England and Scotland, and I know this because I was in control of that.
"So it's nothing new for him.
"Have we had an approach for him now? No.
"Will that probably come one day? Potentially.
"But he understands and we understand he has a long way to go.
"He is just at the start of the next level of his development and nothing is a problem for him. He is the most humble boy you will meet. He just gets on with it.
"He has been training with the first team every day and he will play a part in the first team this season.
"He will probably play with the 18s on Friday, just to continue his minutes.
"But we will progress him at a rate where he will get better, but also safely."
This summer, 15-year-old academy kid Bailey Rice rejected a professional contract at 'Well to join Rangers and while Hammell admits clubs coming for their best young talent will keep happening, the Steelmen believe they give players a great pathway to become regular first-team players before they earn their big moves away.
Hammell says they use former midfielder Allan Campbell as the ultimate role model for young players, following his progression through the academy to a big move down south to join Luton Town last year.
And he hopes up-and-coming players like Lennon stick around Fir Park for a while longer.
Hammell added: "Every year we would have offers and compensation packages to speak to certain players at different age groups.
"It is still happening to this day and that is just the nature of it.
"It is going to happen more often in Scotland especially from teams in England.
"And it is something we sell quite passionately to our younger players.
"That is in terms of: 'Yeah you might go there and you might progress and it is a great opportunity, for sure, but stay here, try and become a first team player, get some minutes, exposure to the first team and then the likes of these teams come in for you as a first team player.'
"That is our whole 'sell' and I feel like that is the best model to follow.
"It is the best thing for our club and I think over the next two or three years, we will see a steady progression of very young players coming in and being involved in the first team.
"That is the whole model of the club and if teams decide to come in then and take them, that's absolutely fine.
"But at those younger age groups - like 12 or 13 - I think that is too early, too young, but you can see the attraction from the other side."
He added: "Allan Campbell is the perfect example.
"He came in and played early. He was probably ready before he did come in [to the first team] but he waited and showed a great attitude.
"We still use Allan as an example to our young boys in terms of his attitude and application.
"Once he got into the first team, he just shone and he has continued to do that.
"It is no surprise to me that he is playing at the top end of the Championship, that he is still progressing and doing well.
"He's not gone there and thought 'ok'. He will continue to do well and he is someone we use as an example to our younger players that a good attitude, application and personality will take you far in this game."
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