Wide man Liam O'Neill aiming to impress with hard work.

Liam O’Neill is hoping to follow the likes of George Cooper, James Jones and James Baillie and push himself towards the first-team squad this season. The talented attacker was one of five young players to sign professional deals this summer, a moment that O’Neill described as an ‘amazing moment’.

O’Neill, who was one of the main performers in helping Crewe reach the quarter-final stage of the FA Youth Cup told Crewe Alex Player: “It was just an amazing feeling to get a professional contract. You just don’t know what will happen, so to get a professional deal and then come in to sign was unbelievable.

“It has helped there were a few of us from the Youth team that got professional deals. I think because we did well in the Youth Cup and reached the quarter-finals helped with the contracts. It gave us a chance to impress.

“It was a great experience beating Arsenal and then playing in front of over 1,000 fans at Manchester City.

“The young lads have been almost every day over the summer working hard and trying to make sure we are ready. The pre-season is not far away now and hopefully we will get some game time and try and impress the manager.

Liam added: “To have some of your friends in the group, only makes it easier. It gives you confidence and I am just looking forward to the challenge.”