Michael O'Neill says teenage striker Callum Marshall has been on a "hell of a journey" in three short weeks with Northern Ireland.
The 18-year-old has gone from academy football to his country's Under 21s, and now he is starring for O'Neill's senior squad.
Marshall almost enjoyed a dream debut on Friday night, but had a late goal against Denmark ruled out following a lengthy VAR check.
Read more: O'Neill hoping NI young guns can deliver 'big moment' at Windsor Park
Despite Jonny Evans eventually being penalised for offside in the build-up to the goal, Marshall produced an instinctive finish to beat Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
"We brought Callum into the 21s camp. I hadn't met before and he came in, very fresh-faced as he is," O'Neill said.
"His enthusiasm for the game shone through. He is 18 years old and playing Under 18s football so he is even young for the 21s.
"But you could see that he could score and finish, so we brought him into the two senior camps and he continued with that. He was scoring and finishing in them so we decided to bring him along for the qualifiers.
"He has come a hell of a long way in the space of three weeks, to be honest. But you have to get a goal from somewhere, and I always felt the best chance of us scoring was from a set-piece.
"There was no sophistication in that free-kick. It was about getting the ball forward and getting the first touch on it.
"But what Callum did show in his finish is something you can't coach or teach. He has the ability to steer the ball in the direction of the goal."
At only 18 years of age, O'Neill insists patience will be key when it comes to Marshall's development, as it will with any of the young players cutting their teeth in his squad.
"It is nice to have that attacking threat from Callum, but we can't rely on that or expect it every time he comes on the pitch," O'Neill added.
"We were delighted with the contribution of Callum and all the subs when they came on. They gave us a lift and an attacking threat."
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