Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins believes it’s important teenage sensation Oliver Devlin is allowed to enjoy his football without pressure after making an impressive start to life in the Irish League.

The 17-year-old joined Coleraine from Derry City during the summer and made his Premiership debut in September before providing a spectacular assist for Matthew Shevlin’s equaliser against reigning champions Linfield earlier this month.

Devlin’s undoubted ability has generated headlines and excitement, but Higgins feels it’s crucial his young star is allowed to express himself without expectation being placed on his shoulders.

"He's a talented wee man,” said Higgins. “We can all see that.

placeholder image — Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

"He came from Derry City in the summer and we're delighted to have him. He's got real potential, is a different type of player to your stereotypical Irish or British style player.

"As long as he keeps taking the right advice and listening to the right people...we also have to let him be himself and be free because that's when he is at his best. You can coach him, but we don't want to coach any of that natural talent out of him.

"He's at his best when he's free so it's important we let him be himself and it's important there's not too much pressure put on him either. He's only a kid, he's only coming on the scene, and you can find young players can get too much media attention and it can be difficult for them.

"It's important we let him play football and enjoy himself because it's all new to him as well. He hasn't been in any of the national teams over recent times which is a wee bit surprising, but I'm sure that will come for him.

"Potential is potential, that's all it is. It would be reckless of me to make any sweeping statements and I won't do that. All we want him to do in this period is enjoy his football and play with freedom.

"People can get overly excited at times and I'm not saying to not get excited, but we have to manage him properly and he's in good hands here.

"We have other young players with huge potential, but I know why the questions are being asked about Ollie because of the impact he has made in recent weeks."

Devlin could potentially be the next Irish League youngster on the radar of clubs across the water.

There’s often debate surrounding the best path to the professional ranks in England or Scotland, but Higgins feels gaining senior experience can be beneficial.

"There's different arguments,” he added. “The success rate of lads going away after getting a lot of experience is probably higher.

"I know in the League of Ireland it's definitely higher. You look at the Republic of Ireland national team, a lot of those players from the last couple of squads came through the League of Ireland.

"You have the likes of Ethan Galbraith who went to Manchester United as a young boy and is now an exceptional talent. There's different ways and not every individual will have the same path.

"Money gets involved as well so there's so many ways to look at it. There's no guarantees, he has to keep doing the business, keep training hard, keep working on his physical condition, all those things, and listen to the right people.

"It's important we let him find his feet and enjoy his football."