Sam Curtis' innate drive bodes well to build on Premier League debut for Sheffield United - Eoin Doyle

Sam Curtis made his Premier League debut for Sheffield United on Saturday and his former St Patrick's Athletic team-mate Eoin Doyle believes the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has the character to build on his latest breakthrough.

Still just 18, Curtis' last game for St Pat's was last November's FAI Cup final win at the Aviva Stadium before he made a long-mooted move abroad, with the Blades sealing his signature in January on a deal that will run until 2027.

The Navan-born right-back was quickly fast-tracked into Sheffield United's matchday squads from late February onwards but his first minutes of Premier League action did not come until this Saturday when he was brought on in the 63rd minute of the 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, touching the ball 15 times and being dispossessed once.

Blades boss Chris Wilder tempered expectations around the 2023 PFAI Young Player of the Year in the aftermath of the game, saying that "it wasn't by any means an accomplished debut" and that "he has to get up to speed as well if he wants to be part of everything going forward".

Despite those comments, the fact that the manager has kept Curtis in and around the matchday squads suggests he rates the Meathman highly.

Also holding Curtis in high regard is Eoin Doyle, who played alongside the youngster at St Pat's and his attitude was one that impressed the RTÉ Sport columnist and former striker.

"He's a great kid, fully, fully focused on football. He's constantly looking for information, constantly looking for feedback on how he'd done," Doyle told this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

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