‘Destined for the top’: Fresh praise for Spurs and Wolves target hailed by Bristol City boss

Nigel Pearson has described Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott as a ‘unique talent’ following a string of high-class performances from the teenager of late.

Scott netted his first goal of the season for City against West Bromwich Albion last month, as he ran the show alongside fellow youngster Sam Bell to send his side into an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester City.

The midfielder also put in an inspired performance against Preston North End on Saturday, which included a moment of magic where he took three Lilywhites players out of the game and played a pass in behind to craft an opening for the winning goal on the day.

At just 19-years-old and already with 76 senior appearances for City, Scott has a plethora of experience under his belt, and he is no longer the best kept secret in the Championship.

His teammate Kal Naismith most recently likened him to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish.

Scott’s boss Pearson wasn’t shy in his praise for the Guernsey-born youngster, but wasn’t drawn on the comparisons to both Gerrard and Grealish, instead hailing him for being his own player.

“He’s just a very unique talent and he’s got a very impressive temperament,” he said. “I think he’s destined for the very top, but football dictates to you what’s going to happen because you can’t always be in control of your own destiny.

“Alex Scott will, I think, continue to progress and he’ll be a top player. But he also knows that he’s got to do it for us while he’s here, he just enjoys playing football so it's good to have young hungry players at the club as well as senior players who want to continue to perform and get better.”

Scott has been linked with moves away from the West Country over the past 18 months, with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers all rumoured to have been interested in the youngster.

Everton and Bournemouth were also said to be interested, and it will be a tough task for the club to keep hold of their most prized asset.

It is believed that the Robins value Scott at £25 million, a fee which may have scared off Leicester City’s and Wolves’ pursuit of him in the January window. At such a tender age, it is important that the number seven keeps his feet on the ground, particularly in today’s world where external pressures can weigh heavy on athletes.

When asked whether all the recent speculation on Scott’s future has shown the teenager's stellar mental strength to block out the noise and concentrate on football, Pearson said: “Yes probably, and on top of that, all the modern pitfalls for young players like social media etc.

“He’s a young man who is driven and wants to be a success, all young men will make mistakes at some point, but what we have to do is give him the framework to be as good as he can be while he’s with us.”

While there is a strong feeling that it is a matter of when, and not if Scott departs BS3, Pearson was keen to send a reminder that the midfielder is still a Robins player.

He said: “You’ve got to remember that he’s got a contract here for a couple more years yet, for there to be any further speculation about his future, there’s got to be something real happen. He’s our player at the moment.”