Ian Harte has hailed the experience Niall Huggins will have picked up from being included in Leeds United's travelling party for Saturday's trip to Everton.
The 19-year-old made the trip to Goodison Park for the 1-0 win after a series of impressive performances for the Whites' under-23s so far this season.
Whilst he was not included in the matchday squad, it was no doubt an invaluable experience for the youngster, who penned his first professional contract in 2019.
Whites legend Harte, who now works as an agent, hailed the decision to take the young forward to Goodison Park for the victory.
He tweeted: "Fantastic experience for Niall Huggins, travelling with the Leeds United first-team for the win v Everton".
It is the latest step towards the first-team for the young starlet, who has impressed at under-23s so far this season.
The versatile youngster has been in the Whites' academy set-up since he was a child and has endured a turbulent youth football career, which saw him break his ankle at under-12s level before also missing eight months in his first year as a scholar due to a stress fracture in his femur.
Since then, 12 goals in 29 matches at under-18s level earned him his first professional contract.
Earlier this year, Huggins was name-checked by Kalvin Phillips as a young player to look out for.
It led to praise from former Leeds keeper Paul Robinson, who suggested the attacker could be ready for first-team football within the next 12 months.
“Huggins is a very good player who’s performed really well in the Under-23s this season. I’ve seen a bit of him actually. The Leeds academy has always been strong and it’s always produced players – it’s even been known to produce the odd dodgy goalkeeper!" He told MOT Leeds News.
“In all seriousness though, Huggins has been very good. In fact the Under-23s last year and the year before have been particularly strong and there will be a number of them who will be ready for the first team over the next year or so.”
