McNALLY IS NOW COMING OF AGE

TEENAGE starlet Reiss McNally’s stock continues to rise after he was named Guiseley’s Players’ Player and Young Player of the Season.

The 19-year-old defender joined the Lions from Step 7 side Solihull United last summer and has taken to the National League North with consummate ease.

McNally caught the eye of a number of EFL suitors in his 35 appearances for the Lions this season, where he became a mainstay in defence alongside Hamza Bencherif.

But the level-headed youngster is happy under the wing of co-bosses Marcus Bignot and Russ O’Neill and believes such an environment has been key to him growing as a player.

“It obviously feels good getting that recognition,” McNally told The NLP. “It gives you a buzz to see that all the hard work is paying off. I thought I had done well but it’s not until you get awards like these, that you realise I must have caught the eye.

“We are all young, I think the average age of the squad is 21, 22. But we weren’t treated like kids. Everyone was expected to play with maturity.

“In truth, age didn’t come in to it. You have just as much a responsibility as any other player.

“You have to tackle every game as if you are a professional, age has nothing to do with it.”