Neil Redfearn tipped a 16-year-old Jamie Shackleton for the top

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Leeds United fans were once again treated to quite a spectacle from their players as the Whites put Derby County to the sword at Pride Park.

A 4-1 triumph perfectly highlighted the dominance that Leeds showed throughout the game. It was also a great day for one young Leeds star. Jamie Shackleton came on for the final 20 minutes after an impressive pre-season.

Shackleton is a player that some Leeds fans may not have heard much about. But a former Leeds head coach has been tipping him for success for some time now.

Neil Redfearn, who has managed both the club’s youth and senior teams, is a huge fan of the teenage midfielder. Back in 2016, he was already singing the praises of the midfield dynamo.

“There’s a little boy, a midfield player called Jamie Shackleton. I think he’s got a great chance. I think he’s a good footballer, he’s got great feet. He’s not the biggest, but he’s very tenacious. He reads the game well.”

– Neil Redfearn on Jamie Shackleton ability

Redfearn, who has helped inspire the careers of Charlie Taylor, Lewis Cook and recent departee Ronaldo Vieira, is certainly a player who knows a thing or two about young talent.

Shackleton has clearly shown new manager Marcelo Bielsa that he has what it takes to be a part of the first-team squad this summer. Otherwise, letting Vieira leave and dropping the likes of Eunan O’Kane would seem a mad decision from El Loco.

But if Shackleton can live up the expectations Redfearn has of him, then Leeds might have another star on their hands from the academy.