MIKEY: I’M IN DREAMLAND AT LILYWHITES

HIGHLY-RATED Preston rookie Mikey O’neill is aiming to cement himself in Ryan Lowe’s plans as he lives out a boyhood dream.

The attacking midfielder made his second substitute appearance for the Lilywhites on Saturday and almost got on the scoresheet.

The academy product, 17, said North End manager Lowe had made him believe that he can cut it at Championship level.

O’neill said: “I’m hoping the gaffer is going to help me for a long time in my career as I get used to playing in the first-team.

“Since he’s come in he has filled me with confidence and hopefully there’s others coming through, too, with a few more of my mates from the Under-18s.

“It’s up to the boss if he wants to give me a go and he’s had the faith to give me 15 minutes there and I’m thankful for that.

“Words can’t describe how that felt. I was a bit disappointed not to score, but maybe next time I’ll find the back of the net. It doesn’t feel real to hear the fans singing my name. I just enjoyed it so much.

“I’m still only 17 and I could have found it hard, but I felt I dealt with it well. It was a good start and I want to build on it.

“This season I have just accelerated, been raring to go, hit the ground running and got better and better during the season.”

Teenager Aiden Marsh gave relegated Barnsley the lead when he volleyed his first goal from Victor Adeboyejo’s cutback.

But Preston’s Daniel Johnson (above) took centre stage with his classy brace, before Emil Riis Jakobsen added a third.

Homegrown Tykes prospect Marsh is a boyhood Barnsley fan and is expected to feature prominently in League One for them next season.

The forward, 18, said: “I will bottle up that emotion and take it into the next game.

“I used to sit in the East Stand and always thought that one day I could play for Barnsley. Now it’s actually happening. This day will live with me for the rest of my life.”