Seamus Coleman has revealed his advice to youngster Anthony Gordon after he was handed his Premier League debut for Everton this weekend.
The forward has been among the substitutes for the senior side on multiple occasions this term having established himself as an important member of David Unsworth's double-winning U23s across 2018/19.
And on Saturday the 18-year-old was finally handed his first Premier League appearance by Carlo Ancelotti, playing the entire second half of the 1-1 draw with West Ham after replacing Bernard at the break.
The club captain is keen to not put too much pressure on the youngster, but knows the manager picked him for the right reasons.
Coleman told evertonfc.com : "Anthony is a very good player but I don’t want to put too much pressure on him.
"I have been very impressed in training.
"The manager’s not put him out there because he’s a young lad and we’re down on numbers. He’s put him out there because of what he’s seen on the training ground."
Gordon will be keen to pick up as many senior appearances as possible between now and the end of the season.
And Coleman has shared the advice he believes the 18-year-old must heed if he is to become a regular at Goodison Park.
The defender added: "Anthony needs to keep working hard every day. You are not just given a career, you have to work for it. From what I have seen he has the attributes to do that. If he keeps grounded and working hard the ability is there without a shadow of a doubt.
"I have spoken to him a few times and he seems a good family lad, which is always important.
"This is a first step of hopefully a very good career for him. But you have to work every single day."
