McAllister lauds Houllier for blooding the youngsters
Published 23:00 04/12/10 By Bill Mills
Gerard Houllier has been hailed for having the bottle to play the kids.
Aston Villa go to Anfield tomorrow in what is sure to be an emotional return for boss Houllier and assistant manager Gary McAllister.
It will also be a tough test for youngsters like Barry Bannan, Ciaran Clark, Chris Herd and Jonathan Hogg. Marc Albrighton would have figured, but is recovering from appendicitis.
McAllister said: “It’s OK picking them out but it is having the bottle to play them. The outstanding aspect for me at Villa is they all have a ferocious appetite to learn and work. That’s a credit to the Academy.
“A lad like Bannan has made big strides in a short time. I hope the players here realise what Gerard can do for them. It is a big part of his management. To improve them across the board, as players and as people.”
“I have learned a lot from him. He is ultra-professional, very thorough, probably the hardest worker I have ever met. Simple.”
