Graeme Souness admits he can see positives and negatives with Conor Bradley's loan spell with Bolton Wanderers.
Northern Ireland teenager Bradley has impressed since joining Bolton on loan last summer from Liverpool.
The 19-year-old defender has scored seven goals in 45 appearances across all competitions this season, and recently helped the League One club lift the EFL Trophy.
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Bradley remains highly thought of at Liverpool, having previously made his debut for Jurgen Klopp's first-team and also appeared in the Champions League.
Souness previously said Bradley would be best served staying at Anfield and learning beside some of the best players in the world.
But now he sees the benefits of the teenager playing senior football on a consistent basis.
"There are benefits of playing first-team football. You have to get out there and see what it's all about, and all the aspects of professional football," Souness said.
"You're playing against senior pros and you have to deal with pressure. That's something you have to learn to handle, and quickly.
"The other side is how I developed as a footballer and improved as a player. I went from Middlesbrough to Liverpool in a record transfer fee between two clubs.
"I know I improved by playing every single day, and training every single day, with world class footballers. Moving the ball quicker, anticipating things quicker.
"But I had experienced playing first team football at Middlesbrough for four years,. So there is a trade-off there.
"I don't think it is black and white for every player. Every player is different."
Bradley recently impressed on international duty for Northern Ireland, starting the two recent Euro qualifiers against San Marino and Finland.
He was one of the standout performers for Michael O'Neill's squad over the two games, earning plenty of praise alongside fellow emerging teen star Shea Charles.
"Conor is coming through with other young players, and I am sure Michael O'Neill looked at that before taking the Northern Ireland job a second time," Souness added.
"The fact that Conor is at Liverpool, and Shea Charles is at Manchester City, suggests they have something about them. Time will tell if they feature for the first teams, that's the top of the top.
"People develop at different stages, so Michael can't be hanging his hat on a couple of 19-year-olds. They will be gradually introduced to see if they can play that level, and he will find out.
"Nothing beats experience in football. You need good pros who have been around the block a few times. They have experienced disappointment in the game and know how to deal with it, whereas the younger lads haven't.
"That's not to say they can't make strong impressions in these qualifiers."
Graeme Souness was speaking ahead of his 'An Evening With...' event at Belfast's Waterfront Hall on Friday, May 19. The evening will be presented by UTV's Ruth Gorman while Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill will be a special guest. Anyone looking tickets can get them from the Waterfront Hall website HERE. Tickets range from £40 to £150.
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