“He is a kid. That’s what he is. He’s not a 13-year-old in the body of a 19-year-old. He doesn’t have those maturation levels. He really looks 13.
“As much as what his ability is and how fast he is, the worry for me when I saw it was if a 25-year-old tackles him.
“I’m a father and, as good as they are, I worry from a parent’s perspective. But he’s a talent and it will be managed going forward. Will I take a more hands-on role? Yes.
“The guys who work here are very good at their job and I’m sure they probably never realised the scope of media attention it would have had. But it’s football – I oversee football.
“I obviously trust the guys here who do great work. Chris McCart, Jim McGuiness and Tommy McIntyre, they are doing a very good job with the young players.
“I spent time this week with the academy, it was a few hours talking to them about things and they are very open to what we are trying to do here.
“So, it’s not an issue, it’s not a problem, but it’s certainly something going forward that we will manage.”
