Sean McAllister has described captaining Everton Under-18s as “a privilege” as he revealed how manager Paul Tait is helping him elevate his technical skills and tactical understanding of the game.
The midfielder has been an ever-present this season and is in line to feature when the young Blues host Derby County at USM Finch Farm on Saturday (11.30am).
Northern Ireland Under-17 international McAllister joined Everton from Dungannon Swifts in his homeland last year.
Following a fine debut campaign with the Blues, he signed a first professional contract in June 2020. He has continued his impressive development this season – catching the eye with a succession of energetic and authoritative midfield performances.
McAllister’s status as a key player in the Under-18s team has been rewarded with the captain’s armband in recent weeks. The 18-year-old explained how the leadership qualities identified by manager Tait were formed in childhood.
“I feel privileged to captain this team,” McAllister tells evertonfc.com.
“To be at the Club for just over a year, going into my second season… wearing that armband feels like a very good achievement.
“The manager said that he sees me as a leader on the pitch, and that I can keep the boys going until the end.
“I’ve always had that determination, ever since I was a kid – always wanting to win and do the best for my team.
“I think that attitude – never, ever giving up and always giving my all – is one of my main strengths.”
McAllister says his game has progressed exponentially since crossing the Irish Sea to join Everton last summer.
He explained how the coaching techniques deployed by boss Tait are helping to develop his quality on the ball and football intelligence.
“Since I’ve been here I’ve improved a lot on the technical side of things,” McAllister says.
“I wasn’t training every day back home [in Northern Ireland], so that’s helped a lot here. Also, playing alongside the standard of the boys has pushed me on.
“I want to improve both technically and tactically.
“After every game, all the players sit down individually to watch it back.
“We then send a few clips back to the coaches. Maybe two strengths and two weaknesses in the game, where we’ve done well and where we haven’t done so well and can improve.
“Then the manager will look over the clips with us and give us his views. It’s really, really useful.
“Working with Paul Tait and Keith Southern has been brilliant. They help me out so much.”
McAllister says he had no hesitation in making the decision to leave home at the age of 16 to join Everton
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and what I dreamed of doing. It was probably my family, my mum in particular, who it was more difficult for. But they knew I had to do it.”
He says the environment at Everton ensured his settling in process was rapid – and explained his efforts to help the latest teenage talent to join the Blues feel just as at home.
“Whenever I first came over, my teammates made me feel so welcome,” he said.
“I fitted straight in and felt like I’d been here all my life. It’s the best bunch of boys I could’ve asked for.”
