St Helens interim head coach Eamon O’Carroll has revealed the reason behind introducing teenage sensation Harry Robertson into the club’s leadership group, praising the rising star’s maturity and professional attitude.
Robertson has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign for Saints, quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting young talents in Super League.
Speaking on the youngster’s rapid development, O’Carroll praised Robertson’s adaptability after initially filling in across different backline positions.
“He’s been brilliant,” O’Carroll said during his mid-week presser, adding: “What Harry has is a real mature head on his shoulders and a fantastic attitude, [he] wants to learn,
“I think when I first came here, he was that player that no-one really knew what his best position was, so we ended up playing him in centre in training, and he ripped it up.
“What he did do then was go away and try and learn his craft to the best of his ability and became, probably for me, one of the best centres with the least amount of experience in the competition.”
Eamon O’Carroll on Harry Robertson leadership potential
Highlighting his work ethic behind the scenes, O’Carroll stressed how grounded the Saints star has remained despite his fast rise to prominence.
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“We’ve just seen him grow and develop,” O’Carroll explained. “He’s really invested in his game, always wants to do video, always wants feedback, takes that feedback on really well.
“I think it would be easy for someone like Harry to get carried away with all the noise in and around him, but he never changes,
“I just think he’s a credit to the Club, but more importantly, he’s a credit to his family. He’s obviously had a really good upbringing.”
That maturity led O’Carroll to make a bold call upon stepping into the head coaching role by integrating Robertson directly into the squad’s senior setup to learn alongside Saints icons.
“We actually put Harry in the leadership group when I took over this role, as an emerging leader,” O’Carroll revealed. “I wouldn’t say he’s a leader yet, but he’s certainly got the potential to be one.
“That’s why I wanted to put him in and around people like Jonny Lomax and Jack Welsby, etc,
“I think I’ve seen an interview with him the other day where he felt that himself,
“He feels like he’s got a responsibility now to step up because he’s got some young lads in and around him.”
With St Helens missing out on the play-offs for the first time in their Super League history, Robertson’s rapid evolution from versatile prospect to emerging leader stands out as a massive positive amid a tough year.
With Jonny Lomax retiring at the end of the season, soaking up leadership lessons alongside the skipper will prove vital.
Robertson’s development ensures Saints not only possess a brilliant young talent for the present, but a future leader ready to step up as the club enters a rebuild.
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