Nigel Clough urges young Blade to remain 'level-headed'

The Blades youngster capped a first England call-up by making his debut for Neil Dewsnip’s Under-18s last Thursday during their 1-0 win over Switzerland at St. George’s Park.

Seventeen-year-old Reed then followed that up by winning his second cap against the same opposition as the Young Lions romped to an impressive 6-1 victory on Saturday.

The midfielder has already made more than 15 appearances for Clough’s League One side this campaign after becoming the youngster ever player to appear in the league for the South Yorkshire side on his debut last season, but his boss has urged him to not to let his progress affect him.

“Since making his debut against Rotherham last season, he has been very level-headed, and it’s important now that he stays like that,” Clough told SUFC.co.uk.

“I’ve been reading about Harry Kane and the senior players giving him advice about not letting it get to his head. 

"It’s very easy to get carried away, everyone thinks you are brilliant, when you get recognised at international level – but don’t get carried away, just stay level-headed and keep doing things that you’ve been doing that got you to where you are.”

Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough

Clough continued: “It’s brilliant for him. We watched him last Thursday play the whole game against Switzerland and he did really well. He looked comfortable and I’m very pleased for him.

“I spoke to the U18s manager and they were delighted with him, saying he settled in straight away. That’s the most difficult part I think when you get called up for the first time at international level, to settle into your surroundings, but they were delighted.

“The nice thing as well is they remarked on what a smashing lad he is off the pitch – which is important and says a lot about his mum and dad and the work the academy has done with him.”

Despite his tender years, Reed’s boss at Bramall Lane clearly has a lot of faith in the youngster, even fielding him in the League Cup semi final with Tottenham Hotspur in January.

Louis Reed made his England U18s debut last Thursday

Although he has already tasted a fair amount of first team action already, Clough believes Reed is in the right place to continue his development, but added he needs to remain focussed on the long-term.

“They are [important years for him] and that’s why he is at the best place here and he will get a chance of playing regularly.

“Sometimes players move to a club in a higher league and they can get lost, don’t play there football. It’s important that he stays in and around the first team. 

"It’s difficult for a young player like that to start every week. We talk about experienced professionals being tired on a Saturday both mentally and physically, so he will be even more so at just 17.

“He just has to be patient, take his chance when it comes and develop as a player in the next couple of seasons.”

Reed will be hoping to add to his two England caps when the U18s travel to Moscow for a double-header against Russia in June.