A JOURNEY STARTING IN LUTHERMUIR

FROM PAGE 56:

In a strange coincidence, O’neill found himself reuniting with Souttar at Stoke after first meeting more than a decade prior at Brechin.

The Northern Irishman recalls meeting Harry as a young kid when he was City boss, along with his dad Jack and Rangers star brother John.

Given their history, O’neill always looked out for Souttar and hoped he would make it, after moving to Stoke from United for around £250,000 in 2016.

“I remember them as two young boys coming up to the ground at the time,” O’neill said.

“They loved their football. It’s come full circle. With Harry, I always had a bit of a connection and I wanted to make sure he fulfilled his potential.

“He’d been at Stoke for years and spent more time away from the club than he had at it. I wanted to change that and let him fulfil his potential.

“When I arrived, Harry was actually on loan to Fleetwood, I didn’t see him until he came back in the summer. I wasn’t sure if he was going to be right for us but we had an honest, straightforward conversation.

“I told him to give it a go and if it didn’t work out, we could look at a permanent move somewhere else.

“But he took the opportunity and within a few months was signing a new contract.

“He made a big impact in a short space of time. I was keen to get him involved because I knew his background and quality, and I saw it in training.”

Michael O’neill has spoken of his pride at seeing former Dundee United kid Harry Souttar called up to Australia’s World Cup squad.

The 24-year-old was selected as part of Graham Arnold’s 26-man squad and could earn his 11th cap when the Socceroos kick off their Qatar campaign tomorrow against France.

Despite being born in Luthermuir and having represented Scotland at under-19 level, he qualifies as an Australian citizen through his mum Heather.

Souttar’s inclusion in the squad comes after making his return from an ACL injury, picked up in World Cup qualifying.

He has made just one appearance for Stoke since November last year.

O’neill, however, believes the Potters star is well worth his place in the squad – and predicts he is destined for the top of the English game.

The former Stoke boss handed the towering 6ft 6in centre-back his Championship debut in 2020 and, when fit, he has been a mainstay in the side since.

“I’m delighted for Harry, he’s a really good lad and a great player,” O’neill said. “He was a big player for us and when he got injured it was a big blow.

“At the time we were sitting in a very good position in the Championship, looking like a team who could get promoted.

“Then we lost Harry and another player, Nick Powell. That really hurt us as a team.

“I was delighted to see he’s managed to get back and involved for Australia.

“He’s only played one 90 minutes which isn’t a lot but I know the Australia coach rates and values him so hopefully he’ll do well.

“For me, Harry’s a Premier League player and he just needs time between now and the end of this season to pick up from where he left off.

“He had a lot of interest from Premier League clubs prior to getting injured.”