“A bright future” – Rangers and Leicester target offered advice by Millwall teammate | OneFootball

Rangers and Leicester City target Zak Lovelace has “a bright future” but “needs to keep working hard and take his opportunity when he gets it”, according to Millwall teammate Mason Bennett.

Lovelace became the second-youngest player in Millwall history when he made his debut against Coventry City at 15 years and 340 days old but there is some uncertainty about his future ahead of the summer.

The Daily Record reported earlier this season that Brighton, Rangers, and Leicester City are all keen on the teenager, who is yet to sign a professional deal at The Den but is very highly rated and the south London club are desperate to keep him.

In Bennett, who became Derby County’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut at 15 years and 99 days old, the young forward has a teammate that knows what it is like to be a prodigy.

, the 25-year-old issued his verdict on Lovelace and offered him some advice.

He said: “We’ve had a couple of chats but I’m one that I’d rather them learn their own way.

“I had a similar upbringing. Yes, you’re in the training ground, yes you’ve got to be nice to people, but you’ve got to learn your own way in how to cope with the environment and the demands of training.

“He’s done well since he’s come in training with us. He’s still at school so I know what he’s going through. He’s got a bright future and he needs to keep working hard and take his opportunity when he gets it.

“I found it really hard, I still had two years at school from the time I made my debut. It does change your views on life and your outcome after school.

“But if I were to give advice to him it would be to enjoy his time at school. After your career, it’s only short, so you need something to fall back on.

“He’s loving every moment of it and I’m sure he’ll be going into school with his head held high. He’s earned that, he’s done well so hats off to him.”

Lovelace has featured three times in the Championship this season, all off the bench, including in the Lions’ last two games against Derby County and Sheffield United.

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The Verdict

Bennett has been where Lovelace is now and though he’s suggested the young forward needs to make his own way, listening to what advice he’s willing to give would be wise.

The teenager is one of the Millwall players benefitting from the raft of injuries in Gary Rowett’s squad, giving him a chance to cut his teeth further in senior football.

The 16-year-old is an exciting talent and the Lions will hope to have him signed to a professional deal soon despite the interest from the likes of Rangers and Leicester.

He can’t let the interest in him go to his head, however, and as Bennett says, just needs to keep working hard.