Former coach predicts more exciting times for Bradley

FEW are watching Conor Bradley’s meteroic rise in football as closely as one of his former coaches Steafan Deery.

On Sunday the gifted teenager made his debut for the Northern Ireland senior team in the 3-0 friendly win over Malta and may well feature this evening (Thursday) again when Ian Baraclough’s team take on Ukraine.

The Killen lad replaced captain and fellow Tyrone player Stuart Dallas on 86 minutes in what many believe will be the first of many appearances for the men in green.

Since joining Liverpool Bradley, 17, has helped the young Reds reach the FA Youth Cup Final, has starred for the club’s under-23s and in the past month has been training with Jurgan Klopp’s first team.

Deery, who first spotted the athletic young Bradley at primary school and coached him at Castlederg club St Patrick’s, believes that if it were possible the next 12 months could be even more exciting for the former Omagh CBS student than the last.

“I know that Liverpool have been very pleased with his progress,” he said.

“He’s got a great attitude, possesses real leadership qualities, doesn’t lack confidence, is very athletic, has a great work-rate and has a hunger to improve all the time,” he continued.

FULL STORY IN TODAY’S ULSTER HERALD