Larne manager Gary Haveron believes teenage star James Simpson is “only getting better” – and feels the Northern Ireland U21 international has the potential to earn a big move across the water.

Simpson was the standout performer as the Inver Reds extended their unbeaten Premiership run to seven matches by beating Crusaders 3-0 on Saturday, and will once again have a key role to play in an upcoming crunch showdown with Coleraine.

The 19-year-old has progressed through Larne’s youth ranks to become an established senior star, making 30 league appearances last term as Haveron’s men sealed Gibson Cup glory.

Simpson also played a part in all eight European matches throughout the summer, scoring in a 2-1 Europa League qualifying defeat to Georgian outfit Iberia 1999.

placeholder image — James Simpson celebrates lifting the Gibson Cup with his family. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

His form was recognised by Northern Ireland U21 manager Tommy Wright in the recent international window with Simpson starting in all three of their European Championship qualification fixtures.

"The kid's only getting better and better, his confidence is in a really good place,” said Haveron. “He went away with Northern Ireland’s U21s and played all the games, which was probably more than he expected, but he was instrumental.

"I had a brilliant phone call with Tommy Wright regarding James after the camp, praising the kid about his attitude, what he brought to the team and how good he was.

"It was actually so refreshing to hear because James Simpson is a kid that we massively believe in at this club, he has a really bright future.

"I’m really, really pleased for him because he's now starting to show that confidence and that self-belief in the game and I genuinely believe we've got a number of young players that could open up opportunities for themselves further afield.”

Simpson was the only current Irish League player to start for Northern Ireland’s U21s, but the likes of Shea Kearney, Braiden Graham, Johnny Russell and Paul McGovern, who have all featured in the Premiership, were also involved.

Haveron has highlighted the Irish League’s role in preparing players for a step up – and believes getting senior experience stands youngsters in good stead.

"The difference between playing academy football and senior men's football is night and day,” added Haveron. “I watch academy football, my son plays academy football, and there's a great deal of falseness about it.

"It's all play, play, play and there's no ramifications for giving a ball away, you can get away with a lot, you can hide a lot in academy football, it's all pretty.

"Irish League football is rough, you just have to look at the boys that have played Irish League football that have gone over to England and been successful.

"A big part of their success is the breeding that they had in the Irish League.

"Trai Hume’s the captain of Northern Ireland, absolutely outstanding. What a player, what an attitude, hard as nails, but he can play too.

"I think that's what our boys get in the Irish League, you've got to be robust, physical, and they bring that onto the international scene.

"That's why Tommy Wright has given the Irish League players a lot of opportunities, because they know the importance of three points and they come in with that mentality and that attitude, not this, ‘it'll be alright if we win or not’.”