Brennan Johnson has ‘all the things he needs’ to make a big impact at Nottingham Forest.
And the next step is for him to be tested at first team level, says Chris Cohen.
Martin O’Neill has already suggested that the attacking midfielder or forward will be part of pre-season training with the rest of the Reds first team this summer.
And under-23 coach, Cohen, remains convinced that Johnson, who is the son of former Forest forward David, has the kind of attributes he wishes he had been blessed with at the same age.
Johnson, who will turn 18 later in the month, has already impressed at under-18 and under-23 level with Forest and plays in the Welsh under-19 side.
“Brennan has all the qualities you would need - all the qualities I would have wanted as a young footballer,” said Cohen.
“He has the ability to score goals, the ability to affect games of football, the ability to run, tackle and do most things as a player. He has all the things you need.
“We will never know, until he gets up there, how he will handle that in a first team environment.
“But, from what he has done for us, he is now going past the level of under-23 football, if he has not done so already. His next stage is for him to play senior football.”
Cohen hopes there are a few players in the under-23 set-up who could push for an opportunity at some stage next season.
“I have spoken about Brennan before and there are others as well Jayden Richardson is another one who has done really well,” said Cohen. “Jake Taylor, Tyrese Fornah… these are players who look like they can go and play at any level they want to.
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“But, until you expose them to that first team environment, then things can change.
“In terms of what they have done - and I have missed some names out there - who have all been brilliant.”
