Glenn Ferguson says he sees a little bit of himself in Dale Taylor and believes the 18-year-old can continue scaling the heights in full-time football. Taylor enjoyed an impressive season at Nottingham Forest and earned his first senior Northern Ireland cap last November.
A product of Linfield's Academy, Ferguson says the teenage striker has the talent and temperament to make his mark in professional football. And he believes Taylor's upbringing at Greenisland FC and Linfield will stand him in good stead.
Irish League legend 'Spike' said: "I have always been really impressed by Dale as a player. To a certain extent he reminds me a little bit of myself.
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"He is not a 6ft 2' centre forward and rangy. He is a little bit smaller but has a good build about him and he is good at shielding the ball.
"He is strong and also knows how to score goals. I have been really impressed watching his progress over the past number of months and glad we gave him a good apprenticeship.
"He gave a good account of himself in the FA Youth Cup final last season in front of 67,000 people inside Old Trafford. He wasn't overawed by that.
"And to cap it all off he gets a senior international cap with Northern Ireland. For a young lad that has been absolutely brilliant.
"I am delighted for him, as I am all the young players who have moved across the water. They are all doing great jobs and long may it continue."
Ferguson believes Taylor's football education at Greenisland and Linfield will have prepared him for life in the pro game. Two pillars of high standards, Ferguson says both clubs will have instilled the right values into the youngster as he was maturing through their ranks.
"Dale is level-headed. He has come through Greenisland and Linfield who have standards. And I think Dale adopted those standards and developed himself on and off the pitch," Ferguson said.
"He has taken it all board and has continued on an upward curve with Nottingham Forest. They will have their own standards and Dale has to buy into them and live up to them if he wants to be a full-time footballer and make a career out of this.
"And to be fair to the wee lad he has grasped it with both hands. He has a desire to go and do well and we wish them all the best."
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