Arvin Appiah’s brief cameo off the bench provided one of few positives for Nottingham Forest at Rotherham.
And Martin O’Neill today reiterated his belief that the teenage winger has a ‘decent’ future ahead of him in football.
The 18-year-old was introduced in the 76th minute, in place of Saidy Janko, as Forest went in search of an equaliser, with Joao Carvalho also coming on to replace Ben Osborn.
The changes did not ultimately inspire a Reds comeback, as Rotherham held out for a 2-1 win that bolstered their survival hopes – and put a big dent in Forest’s play-off hopes.
But O’Neill was pleased with Appiah’s positivity, with the 18-year-old finding the space to whip in a cross when he got on the ball for the first time.
“I think Arvin has a decent future. He is a really nice footballer,” said O’Neill.
“It was a tough baptism for him, but the first time he got the ball he tried to beat his man.
“That is very positive, as he was able to whip in the cross, even if it unfortunately evaded Matty Cash at the far post.
“But he has a definite chance in the game.”
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It was Appiah’s third substitute appearance for the first team, with the product of the Nigel Doughty Academy having scored on his debut, when coming off the bench in the EFL Cup at Burton, back in October.
His first appearance in the Championship saw him come on in the 89th minute of Aitor Karanka’s final league game in charge, against Leeds on January 1 – and this was his first appearance under O’Neill.
