The England U19s youth international is enjoying a loan spell at Preston that could prove pivotal to his development
Preston North End's Everton loanee Harrison Armstrong during the match against Charlton Athletic at Deepdale. Photo by Rich Linley - CameraSport via Getty Images
Preston North End's Everton loanee Harrison Armstrong during the match against Charlton Athletic at Deepdale. Photo by Rich Linley - CameraSport via Getty Images
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Harrison Armstrong believes his loan experience at Preston North End is already turning him into a better player. The teenager has forced his way into the first team and quickly become a fan favourite as Paul Heckingbottom’s side continues its promising start to the Championship season.
Armstrong played 90 minutes again on Friday night in the comeback win at home to Sheffield United and his versatility was exploited as the team first sought a route back into the match and then fought to protect their lead.
It was the latest showcase of the 18-year-old’s talent and further justification for the widespread interest in him this summer, particularly in the second tier after his spell helping Derby County to survival at the end of last season. Armstrong was crucial to staving off a relegation that had looked likely when he moved to Pride Park in January.
Speaking after the 3-2 win at Deepdale, Armstrong told Everton’s media team: “Derby was a matter of survival and doing what it takes. So I think probably by the time I leave Preston and towards the end of the season, I'll look back on it and I'll have learned different things than what I did at Derby.
“Ultimately it's trying to adapt and trying to give different varieties of myself to try and help the team and hopefully that takes me a long way. As a team, we back ourselves that we'll create and we trust our backline that we will defend well. [This] was an enjoyable game, it's definitely one that I've learnt a lot from, especially the first half.”
Armstrong discussed his role in Heckingbottom’s plans, adding: “I'm given that license to have an understanding of where I need to be, depending on how the game's going. I think the first half we needed to go and get a goal, so the manager wanted me in a bit of a higher position, which the first goal probably helped with coming down my side.
“And then once you've got a lead in a game like this on a Friday night, you want to do everything you can to protect it, so it was a case of defending for our lives at times.
“First and foremost, I want to help the team win and help the team get in the best place possible, but I'm here for my own development. I'm here to grow as a player, so I think Everton will understand that it's a tough environment. It's games every two, three days. I've really enjoyed it and long may it continue.”
David Moyes thought hard about whether to sanction Armstrong’s loan given his potential value to the Everton first team but opted to do so on deadline day once the Blues had confirmation of the signing of central midfielder Merlin Rohl on loan from Freiburg.
Moyes was at Deepdale last week to watch Armstrong as Preston fell to a defeat to Birmingham City. Speaking about the starlet’s development he told the ECHO and others: “Harrison played well. He doesn't look out of place in any way. I think it's good for him. I think he's playing at a good team in Preston at the moment. Preston will be close when it comes to the top end of the league.”
When the ECHO spoke to manager Paul Heckingbottom last month, the midfielder was yet to start a match but the consensus was once he earned his chance he would probably take it.
Speaking after the home draw with Bristol City, in which Armstrong was a second half substitute, Heckingbottom said: “He came late, which we accept that has to happen a lot when you're taking young talented Premier League players who've been with the squad.
“He arrived when we'd been winning games but he knows how much we like him and how much we rate him and he's participating in every game.
“He's jumping at the bit to start and he is ready to start, I'd have no problem starting him, because I know what a good player he is.”
Days later he was given that first start in the draw at Hull City and he has not looked back. Moyes added: “I think it looks as though he is playing well and he’s still got more to do - we'd always look for more - but there's not that many 18-year-olds who do the physicality and the continuation of the amount of games they play, like they play Tuesday, now they're on again Friday night. So that will do Harrison no harm to be put through the ringer a little bit. He's at a good level, but he's still developing for us and we've still got to develop him into a Premier League player.”