Wayne Rooney was full of praise for Eiran Cashin after the Republic of Ireland youngster started his first game for Derby County over the weekend.
The 20-year-old defender impressed in the Rams' 1-0 home victory over Peterborough United on Saturday.
Cashrin, who was born in Mansfield, replaced Lee Buchanan in the starting XI after he picked up a knock in training earlier in the week.
Rooney offered the youngster, who played for Ireland once at U18 level in 2019, some advice before the game.
The Derby boss said: "I told him to enjoy it.
"I had trust in Cash coming in, and he was outstanding.
"I have seen an improvement in him this season. It is hard to gauge from U23s football but there are details you look at. I then bring the players up for a few weeks to train with us and see how they settle in with that, and the lads have been outstanding.
"The message? I have not put any pressure on them [the young players]. They are good players. They wouldn't be playing if I didn't think they can."
Cashrin scored in a 2-0 win against Notts County in a friendly at Meadow Lane during pre-season, but Derby were unable to add to their list of first-team players at the time due to the embargo the club was under.
Rooney added: "I go back to the beginning of the season when his [Cashin's] parents were in my office and I talked to them, with Cash in there. I said he is developing nicely as a player, we want him with us. Unfortunately I couldn't [play Cashin at the time].
"Once that embargo was lifted he was involved. He has been on the bench and has come on in a few games."
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