John Quigg has urged Adrian Delap to push into the Derry City first team in 2018.
Quigg saw the Derry City Reserves hammer Bonagee United 4-0 on Sunday with Delap netting twice in the second-half rout.
Delap has been knocking on the door for a while now and Quigg believes the Ray native is well equipped to get a place in Kenny Shiels’ first team.
“Aidy is a special player,” Quigg said.
“He should be pushing this year for the first team.
“He has to be very close. He’s in training all the time. He’s there or thereabouts. He’s in the squad and Kenny knows what he’s about.
“He can push on this year and one or two others.”
Shane McNamee from Ramelton, younger brother of Cork City’s Barry, was another of the Derry goalscorers on Sunday, while Connor Gormley and Evan Tweed caught the eye in the middle of the park.
Derry have had a solid season in the Ulster Senior League and also have a League Cup semi-final against Letterkenny Rovers to look forward to.
Quigg insisted: “Our aim is to produce players for Kenny Shiels. We just keep going and trying to produce.
“Everyone loves to win. I love to win. We’re in a semi-final against Letterkenny, but our main job is taking players into the first time.
“This league means they’re playing against men. It’s fantastic for what we’re about and what we’re trying to do.”