Bolton Wanderers manager Keith Hill has admitted he would not be if the club's 19-year-old midfielder Ronan Darcy attracts interest from elsewhere this month.

Darcy was one of several youth players drafted in by the club at the start of the season to fill in in the absence of more senior options, and the teenager has certainly made a significant impact since then.

Unlike the majority of those players who have now dropped back down to youth level, Darcy has continued to be involved with Wanderers' senior side, making a total of 15 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring once.

It is thought that the teenager's performances have already attracted scouts from Premier League and Championship clubs, and it seems that is not a surprise to Hill, as he told the Bolton News: “They will be watching. That’s what happens – when you play kids, other teams watch. It’s simple. 

“I want to develop players as young men, make sure they have respect, application, attitude. I want them to go out of their way to help.

“That’s the type of people I want working for Bolton Wanderers and Ronan fits into that."

Discussing the ability that Darcy brings to Bolton's side while reflecting on his development since the start of the season, Hill continued: “I haven’t got anyone in the squad who can do that job as intelligently as Ronan can.

"And when we came to the club he was a million miles off playing for us but now, with hard work and his trust in myself and David, he knows what we need him to do as a function, as well as being a provider and creator. He’s doing well.”

Darcy's contract with Bolton is set to expire at the end of this season, which could put Wanderers under pressure to sell should any bids come in for the teenager this month.

The Verdict

I could certainly understand it if any clubs were to take an interest in Darcy this month.

Not only has he shown his ability which can be exploited with his performances for the club recently, but he has also shown a high level of maturity in the way that he is stepped up in the face of the hugely challenging situation Bolton have found themselves in.

That is something that is also hugely promising when looking ahead to the rest of his career, and his contract situation at Bolton means he should be affordable for any club in the top two tiers, making this an attractive proposition for plenty of sides.