Kristi Montgomery's rise has drawn comparisons to Manchester City star Elliot Anderson as he continues to grow at Blackburn Rovers.
The 22-year-old has become a regular starter at Ewood Park, which was his main target after signing a long-term contract in the summer.
Tony Mowbray has shown faith in Montgomery, who has started all of their eight Championship fixtures so far. That form has earned him a first senior Scotland call-up.
He has already surpassed the number of league starts he made in the entirety of last season, underlining the opportunity and belief he has been afforded by Mowbray.
The Rovers boss believes he has a very high ceiling and likened him to Manchester City star Elliot Anderson.
Obviously, there is an exceptionally long way to go but Montgomery's development has been very exciting for Rovers.
“I’ve had chats with him and told him how well he has done," Mowbray said.
"I have asked how many goals he’d scored in professional football and I was surprised it was his first against Sheffield United. He has so many positive attributes.
“I talked to him about, with total respect to the likes of Elliot Anderson, 116 million quid. What does he do that Kristi can't potentially do somewhere down the line?
“He's athletic, so is Kristi. He passes it pretty simply, so does Christy. Does he score goals? Not dozens and dozens of them, but is he effective, mobile and understands football.
“He's always in the right position type of footballer. Why can't Kristi be that? So really just challenging him with conversations about how far do you want to go in the game.
“It's only a couple of weeks since he signed a new contract here. What's his ambition?
“Hopefully, in my mind, I would like to always keep all of my best players, but the reality is that's not been the case generally to the point.
“I think Kristi's ceiling of where he can get to is really, really high. He needs opportunity to play, of course."
At the start of the season, the question was who would be the guaranteed starter in midfield. Montgomery has filled that void.
Adam Forshaw and Sam Morsy bring vital experience, which is crucial for Montgomery's development, and he has benefited from having one of those alongside him.
Mowbray feels we are now at a point where he is the nailed-on pick in that area.
“I think playing alongside Forshaw and Morsy is really good for him. I think they both talk to him, help him think about what positions to take up," he continued.
“He has been playing on the front foot, anticipating nicking the ball on the edge of the box, counter-pressing and then sticking it in the top corner; it's real evidence that he's growing and developing.
“He's such a nice kid, to be honest, and I would hope that he progresses his football talent and his career as far as he wants it to go.
"As the head coach of this football club, I hope it's for this football club for a long time, of course, and helps him get to where this team wants to get to.
"He’s in the battleground of the pitch and he seems to come out of every duel he goes into. I think he is growing, gaining confidence that he belongs in the team.
"We’ll get to the point where it will be Kristi and another in midfield, whereas as a young boy, he gets a game here and there.
“He’s getting to a point where he has to play, I think.”
Share