Jack Byrne has received the highest praise possible from Patrick Vieira, his old boss in the Manchester City youth ranks.
Byrne is currently on loan to SC Cambuur in the Eredivisie but Vieira sees a big future for the Dubliner at City, even comparing him to his old sparring partner Roy Keane.
“The only way to compare Jack and Roy is that they are both nuts,” the Arsenal legend told reporters.
Vieira stressed that having a combative personality is crucial when it comes to being better than the rest.
“That can help, especially when you’re Irish. You have to have it, as we’re in a world of competition and the desire and personality will make a difference,” he added.
“Sometimes people get it wrong between having a personality and being stupid and cocky. But Jack Byrne has personality. I don’t know any top quality player who doesn’t have that. It’s part of his character and I’ve never had any issues with him. I love him more than anything else.”
Vieira insisted that going to play in the Netherlands will prove to be crucial to Byrne’s development.
“If you want to play direct, Jack will be useless but if you want to keep the ball on the floor, and you need someone really creative, Jack will be the player who can do that.”
Hat-tip to our brothers at SportsJOE.ie
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