Daniel Farke laid out early on this season that he will not be commenting publicly on Harry Gray again until he gets onto the pitch for the first team.
Leeds United are keen to protect him from the limelight and ensure that nothing provides a stumble in his journey, having already captured the imagination of the fan base.
Great-uncle Eddie had to wipe away tears from his eyes as the 16-year-old made his senior debut on promotion day against Stoke City in April to a rapturous reception.
He had not even got onto the pitch before fans created a chant for the next protege in the Gray lineage. The teenager later basked in the promotion celebrations on the steps of the East Stand, helping to lead songs at one stage.
A week later, on an equally unforgettable night against Bristol City when promotion to the Premier League was celebrated in front of fans for the first time, Gray was in a party mood. He was jumping everywhere, scarf around his head, interacting with the crowd. Farke had duly noted it.
“I had a little chat with him after the last celebration,” the manager revealed a few days later. “I told him, ‘Harry, great how you celebrate but at one point I had more or less the feeling you won the title all alone for us, so relax a little bit!’
“So he definitely has this confidence that you need but it’s also important to channel this a little bit and not to raise expectations too high. He has many skills and we like his potential and professionalism. And how humble he behaves - with a few exceptions.
“But that’s totally OK, it would be a pity if your young players were not self confident. But we have to make sure he is not overdoing this. There is a long way to go, he has many things where he needs to improve.”
It’s easy to get carried away with a young starlet rising through the ranks, especially given his family ties. It must be remembered that Gray has only enjoyed a handful of senior minutes and has barely had a touch.
Pre-season was promising but also a reminder of his rawness. In the behind-closed-doors match at SC Verl, Gray produced a wonderful assist for Joel Piroe. Minutes later, he spurned a good one-on-one chance by taking too long to shoot.
He was also brought on during the matches against tougher opposition when fans were allowed to watch the games, and once again did not make much of an impact. This is not a criticism. The lad is not yet even of driving age. But it is to underline that he is only just starting out on his journey.
Having carefully managed brother Archie, Leeds are keen to do the same with Harry. Those around the club have explained that the younger sibling hardly lacks confidence, which they do not wish to quell. At the same time, the pathway must be curated dutifully.
Harry Gray made his senior Leeds United debut last season (Image: Getty Images)
Gray made the senior bench for the League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday but - as things stand - it seems a tough ask for him to get many first-team minutes this season, outside of an FA Cup cameo. He has three senior strikers ahead of him, all of whom are hungry to prove their own point.
Gray is continuing his development in academy fixtures while getting training experience with the senior stars, which seems the perfect mix right now. It’s bearing fruit too.
His hat-trick against the first-team of Scunthorpe United in the National League Cup adds to his four goals in three Premier League 2 matches and the assist he provided in the EFL Trophy defeat to Port Vale.
In three week’s time, Gray will turn 17 and be able to sign his first professional contract. It seems inconceivable Leeds will not tie the striker down at some point soon, even if not on his birthday itself.
If the youngster continues his fine form and upwards trajectory, he will become a talent that is hard to keep away from the headlines. Leeds have decided to keep him in-house for now, though no doubt loan clubs may be sniffing around in January.
United might want to keep hold of Gray, both to continue his development while still in adolescence and to control the outside noise and excitement surrounding him.
But if Gray carries on as he is, that noise will only grow louder and Farke might have to comment on him again before too long.
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