BLACKBURN Rovers boss Owen Coyle has predicted Jack Byrne is set for a ‘huge career’ after capturing the Manchester City youngster on loan for next season.

The Dublin-born 20-year-old won rave reviews from the likes of former Blues youth development coach Patrick Vieira after arriving at the Etihad at the age of 15.

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He spent last season on loan with Eredivisie side SC Cambuur - making 27 appearances and netting four goals, including one in a 4-1 win over Excelsior which made him the club’s youngest ever scorer.

And Coyle admits he was impressed with how Byrne, a player he’s been been keeping tabs on for years, handled life in the Dutch top flight.

“Jack Byrne is a player I’ve known for years, from when he came over from Dublin as a young kid,” said the Ewood Park boss.

“When you get these young talented kids from Ireland, Scotland or wherever, then the elite clubs are aware of them and they all want them. Jack Byrne is one of those.

“I’ve watched his progression for years through the Manchester City youth teams, culminating in last year.

“He went to the Eredivisie in Holland, 19 years of age, to Cambuur, which is not a fashionable side and fighting at the bottom end of the table.

“This kid, he stepped in and controlled games at 19 years of age, against Ajax, Feyenoord, against top, top teams.

“Having watched him for years, it really just added to what I had seen.

“That he was good enough to go and do it, and that he had the tenacity, the wherewithal to take the ball in tight areas and pass and move the ball.

“This is a wonderful young player who can only get better, and who Manchester City have very high hopes for.

“When you’re 19 and you go to a foreign country, and step into that country and show you’re a top player in that league, then I think he’s ready to step into the Championship and show his quality.”

Vieira compared Byrne to his old adversary Roy Keane after striking performances in Manchester City’s Under-19 UEFA Youth League side against European giants like Bayern Munich.

Coyle added: “Patrick Vieira loved him when he worked at Manchester City. Everybody spoke very highly of him, which is great as it vindicates your own opinion.

“He’s a confident lad, he was involved with the full Republic of Ireland squad before the Euros, and Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane have all said good things about him.

“When I spoke to him, and got a feeling for him, I knew if I was able to bring this player to the club he would add to what we have.”

Coyle is also excited about the versatility of the new boy He added: “He can find a pass for Danny Graham and Anthony Stokes, and the wingers. I’ll be very excited to work with him.

“He’s played in there next to a ball-winning midfielder, he’s the one who has been creative, but he’s very adept and he can also play in that No 10 behind a striker or two strikers, depending how you want to set up.

“He’s got great set-piece delivery, he can find that final pass and he can score a goal himself.

“I think, just turned 20 now, he’s set for a huge career.

“But to do that he needs that next step in his development and hopefully that’s coming to Blackburn Rovers and showing everyone his undoubted quality.”