Tam Courts has backed teen Dundee United star Kerr Smith to stay focused amidst mounting Premier League transfer speculation.
Liverpool are the latest English side to be linked with a swoop for the 16-year-old defender, who has also been courted by Manchester United, Leicester, Everton and Aston Villa.
United head coach Courts insists he is unaware of any concrete interest in Smith at present.
But he admits it’s only natural for big clubs to show interest in a young player of such high calibre.
‘Pretty unique situation’
Courts said: “Kerr has had to deal with it for the best part of a year now so it’s nothing new for him.
“He has been down training with English Premier League clubs in the past so we know they are aware of him.
“It’s a pretty unique situation having a 16-year-old playing regularly in your first team and being good enough.
“When that happens there is always a lot of interest, especially with a defender because of the physical profile.
“And if someone of his age can handle it, then it’s attractive to clubs because they will think: ‘Where will this boy be in 4 years’ time if he’s already playing at sixteen?’
“Kerr is a really level-headed guy. He doesn’t get put up or down by much and that’s a great temperament to have.
“Hopefully we can keep him developing at our club for a while longer.”
Courts added: “Do we expect bids in January? I am not entirely sure, we are aware of the speculation but I don’t know of anything developing.
“Kerr will be having input from a lot of people who will be helping him. My role in that is to just keep him focused on football.
“It’s nice for me to play that role for him, just focus on what he needs to do on the training pitch and in games.
“It’s a good problem to have, seeing him linked with big clubs.
“We want to keep him as long as possible but we also know he’s a talented player and naturally there will be interest.”
