The Sheffield Wednesday starlet scored twice for England’s Under-18s on Thursday.
Sheffield Wednesday’s hopes of keeping George Hirst under wraps were dealt another blow on Thursday, when the 17-year-old striker scored twice for England’s Under-18s against Poland.
Son of Owls legend David, expectations are high enough on Hirst Jnr, who has already been linked with a string of English football’s biggest clubs.
David Hirst scores for Wednesday at Wembley
There is already a small clamour for Hirst to be included by Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal in the coming weeks and former Owls boss Brian Laws believes a place on the bench could have its merits.
Speaking on Sheffield Live TV on Thursday, Laws explained: “It might be a little bit of a kick up the backside and a warning for the others, because the possibility of him having a go has been talked about, and if it’s not working…
“But he’s (Carvalhal) got such good players as well, it’d be very difficult for a young player to get in the side because of the quality that Sheffield Wednesday have.”
Despite his early progress, it’s perhaps worth remembering just how far Hirst has to go before a regular first team berth can be considered realistic – he’s not even a regular for Wednesday’s Under-23s, for example, nor has he been out on loan.
It cannot be disputed that the Owls have struggled for goals this season, but a change of striker is not always the best solution, as questions must also be asked of the suppliers.
Carvalhal, whose side are 10th in the Championship, has already proved his willingness to blood home-grown talents, handing first team debuts to Joe Wildsmith and Cameron Dawson in the past 15 months.
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