Glentoran coach Rodney McAree has predicted a bright future for exciting teenager Aaron Wightman.
The 18-year-old has progressed through the ranks at the Oval and flexed his burgeoning reputation with another impressive display in Tuesday night's Co Antrim Shield win over Lisburn Distillery.
Wightman started in a youthful-looking Glens side that edged past the Whites courtesy of Danny Purkis' goal. On the night manager Mick McDermott handed senior debuts to seven players.
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Northern Ireland underage midfielder Wightman has already earned a handful of appearances for the Glens and came off the bench in last month's 3-0 Premiership win over Portadown.
"I think Aaron has the capabilities of going on to bigger and better things again. I think he has the capabilities of maybe going across to England," McAree told Glens TV after Tuesday's Shield win.
"But that is up to Aaron to continue putting in the hard work he is putting in at this moment in time. He had a very good pre-season.
"He maybe feels a little bit disappointed he hasn't got as much game time this season in the Premiership, but that will come. There is a very bright future in front of Aaron and as long as he keeps the head down he should do alright."
McAree praised the seven debut boys who made their mark on Tuesday night, including 15-year-old Conor Haughey who wrote his name in the history books by becoming Glentoran's youngest ever player.
"Tonight was a good opportunity to give people much-needed minutes. Because we have started the season relatively well we have been able to run with the same team week to week," McAree added.
"So this was an opportunity to give people game time.
"There is a lot of talent coming through at this club, and at a young age. We saw that tonight with Conor Haughey coming on at the end. It is fantastic to see.
"He has a 2007 birthday and that makes me feel old."
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