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Henrik Pedersen is excited to see how loan pair Kieran Morrison and Harry Gray progress in the coming weeks now they are ‘settled’ at Sheffield Wednesday.
The two teenagers are on season-long loans, Morrison 19, from Liverpool, and Gray, 18, from Leeds United. Although they are young, they have a big role to play in this Owls side, providing much-needed width, pace and energy in a system that has looked lacking without them.
Pedersen had a big smile on his face when talking about the pair on their return from international duty. Morrison got an assist for Northern Ireland’s senior team in a Nations League game against Ukraine, while Gray created a goal for England’s under-19s.
“The two young boys have been really happy these last two days and they have worked really hard,” Pedersen said on their return. “I have a meeting with both of them to hear how the week has been and where they are right now. But they have been happy with the national team and they are really happy to be back. And they're both really looking forward to the coming period for both of them.”
Pedersen gave the impression that Morrison and Gray have struck up a friendship and are bubbly personalities. But the Dane spoke seriously when talking about their potential development on the pitch. After arriving at the start of the season, the Owls boss expects them to kick-on now they are comfortable in their surroundings and with more game-time.
He continued: “They are two lovely boys. But one thing is to be lovely boys. They are hungry, young talent. They want to be better. They want to work hard. They want to improve and they want to make a difference. And yeah, I'm really, really happy for both of them. And I'm looking forward to the next period because now they are more settled in our club. And now when we have another good training week for them and there will come some games, then I'm sure they will both grow a lot with a lot of game practise.”
Whereas Gray had a loan spell at Rotherham United last season, this is Morrison’s first experience of senior football. The 19-year-old has impressed but Pedersen has identified one aspect he could work on, which also applies to Gray.
He explained: “As I said to him (Morrison), his top level is high. His bottom level has to be better. Like most all other young guys, this is the difference to be a good talent and to be a good senior player. That the number of actions you have, you repeat again and again. And especially the connection in the faces. Now we're on the ball. Now we lose the ball. Now we win the ball. Now we lose the ball. Those connections, there's no time for evaluation. There's only the next action. And they are both working very, very hard for this.”