Exclusive: Accrington Stanley manager John Doolan discusses the impressive progress of Isaac Heath with Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas
Accrington Stanley's Everton loanee Isaac Heath during the Sky Bet League Two match between Accrington Stanley FC and Salford City at The Crown Ground on February 7. Photo by Harry McGuire - CameraSport via Getty Images
Accrington Stanley's Everton loanee Isaac Heath during the Sky Bet League Two match between Accrington Stanley FC and Salford City at The Crown Ground on February 7. Photo by Harry McGuire - CameraSport via Getty Images
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Everton winger Isaac Heath is ready to be challenged at a higher level according to the manager giving him his first taste of senior football.
The 21-year-old is enjoying a stellar season on loan at Accrington Stanley, where he quickly cemented his place in the first team and has gone on to provide seven goals and five assists in a breakthrough campaign.
Stanley manager John Doolan is convinced his next test should come above League Two, telling the ECHO: “I think the world is his oyster. In terms of where he can go, I think he's too good for League Two. I think you're looking at the top end of League One or the Championship.”
Heath had never played a competitive game at senior level before his move to the Wham Stadium but he quickly forced his way into the first team after signing for Accrington in the summer. His exploits soon gathered attention as he scored a stunning solo goal against Fleetwood Town in the EFL Trophy just three minutes into his debut.
That he made an immediate impression came as no surprise for Doolan, who had been tracking him for a year and made his move after Heath impressed from the bench in Everton’s first pre-season fixture of the summer - at Accrington. David Moyes’ side was trailing when Heath came off the bench and won a penalty, which Beto scored.
Doolan said: “I knew then. I thought he was robust. He was bouncing off lads. He was strong and obviously he sees the game. He's a very, very talented player. He can move the ball both sides. He's got end product, as we've seen in the season that he's been herewith his assists and goals. So, you know, he wasn't one that I was just bringing in just to be a squad player. He was one that was definitely going to start. I knew he was only going to improve and get better, and he's proved that.”
Doolan said he had the chance to take Heath on loan last season but thought he needed another season in the Under-21s at Finch Farm. It was a view that was vindicated as Heath gradually took on increased responsibility to emerge as one of Paul Tait’s most-trusted players - earning the U21s player of the season accolade in the process.
In Lancashire, Heath is having another formative year helped by prolific, experienced Football League teammates including winger Shaun Whalley and Paddy Madden, who headed in Heath’s cross in a win at Tranmere Rovers days before the ECHO speaks with Doolan after Stanley’s defeat to Shrewsbury Town. Heath was named the man of the match in that game despite the loss and was unfortunate not to win a second half penalty that could have offered the home side a route back into the game.
Reflecting on Heath’s season to date, Doolan said: “He's been outstanding, really impressive on and off the pitch. He's robust, he plays Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, it's a big ask as a professional footballer to do that, whatever level you're at, but he's robust enough to do that.
“When we signed him from Everton on loan, he was one that jumped off the page and I said: ‘He'll do for me.’ I knew he could be tactically and technically very, very good. And now it is just trying to improve that and take him on to the next level. And I think what we've seen and witnessed since he came through the door is an improvement in everything about him, tactical, technical, and also in levels. I think he has proved he can go beyond this level without a shadow of a doubt.”
That view is shared elsewhere in the football pyramid and Doolan conceded January had been a nervous month. Several sides were interested in a permanent deal for Heath but none moved effectively enough in time for him to be recalled and for a transfer to unfold. Clubs are understood to be monitoring him ahead of the summer and, for Doolan, Heath will be ready for a higher standard come next season. He said: “In terms of where he can go, I think he's too good for League Two. I think you're looking at the top end of League One and the Championship.”
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