The deputy gaffer on the touchline at the Etihad Stadium was full of praises for the 17-year-old teenage sensation of Ghanaian heritage following his stellar debut display with the mainstream squad in yesterday's English cup contest
Manchester City assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders has hailed London-born Ghanaian teenager Ryan McAidoo after making his debut with the first-team in their FA Cup third round resounding 10-1 victory against League One side Exeter City on Saturday.
The ever-green wonderkid, who enjoyed the full throttle of the entire game, hogged headlines with his five-star performances after scoring a goal in his debut outing with the Citizens' elite side.
Nonetheless, his splendid output as an academy product, has left his assistant manager with no other option than to revel in his stunning debut display throughout the encounter.
The Pep Guardiola's right-hand man has said of his priceless nimble left-footed budding star to his club's official website: ''l think everyone saw it. The guy he wants the ball constantly. When Ryan faces the goal, he’s so dangerous.
“He can go inside and outside and keeps the ball in different situations. This drive of always wanting to create especially how we plate with the guys on the outside.
“We want these kinds of players. If you bring guys early and train early they can adapt quicker to the intensity of the first team and make the steps we want them to make. Ryan today is serious. Glimpses but not only glimpses.
“The way he follows Erling all the time and chases. He played 95 minutes and he’s not played for quite a long time because he’s always training with us. He gives me a smile when he gets the ball and I think he gives the fans a smile too and that’s special.''
McAidoo, whose stunning strike sends tongues wagging against the third division side, has so far featured in 16 games by netting 6 times and setting up 4 across all competitions this season.
Given his Ghanaian heritage, the London-born whizkid remains eligible to play for Ghana on the international stage after playing for the England U16, U17 and U18 national youth teams.
lt remains to be seen if the Three Lions technical handlers would stay aloof to let such a valuable asset slip through their hands in order to link up with the west African powerhouse at a point in time over his international career.
