Leeds United signed up Conor Shaughnessy to a long-term deal this week.
Former Leeds United winger Eddie Gray has told LUTV that the decision to extend Conor Shaughnessy’s contract is yet another sign that the club is moving in the right direction.
The 21-year-old extended his Leeds contract until 2021 on Thursday following an excellent performance in Tuesday’s League Cup victory away to Premier League side Burnley.
It was the latest in a series of impressive displays from the Irish centre-back, who showed promising signs in pre-season and hasn’t looked back since head coach Thomas Christiansen drafted him into the senior squad for competitive outings.
With a spot in the fourth round of the League Cup assured and the Whites sitting top of the Championship, things are very good for the Elland Road club at the moment, and legendary figure Gray feels that Shaughnessy’s extension is indicative of that.
He told LUTV when asked about the youngster’s extension: “Good, young players are commiting themselves. I think it shows how the club are progressing on and off the pitch. That’s got to be said. You look at the support, the optimism that’s in the city.
“Teams would come to Elland Road before and they would say, ‘Let’s keep the crowd quiet, keep the game quiet for 20 minutes and the crowd would lose a bit of confidence’ but that’s not the case anymore.
“The crowd are right behind the team for 90 minutes, regardless how the game is going, because I think they can see the progress the club is making.”
Christiansen’s side already bounced back from last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Millwall but the Burnley win was a bonus – tomorrow’s visit of Ipswich Town is the real test.
Promotion is far more important than a good League Cup run this season and if Leeds – who were unbeaten in the league before their setback in London – can beat Ipswich then it would render their result at the Den a mere blip.
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