Club Brugge coach Nicky Hayen says South African youngster Shandre Campbell has shown great potential and that is how he made it to their UEFA Champions League squad.
Campbell was an unused substitute as Brugge lost 3-1 at home to Premier League side Aston Villa in the playoff on Tuesday, but his inclusion on the bench was a massive endorsement for the talented youngster.
The former SuperSport United star has enjoyed a meteoric rise since his move to Belgium, having started at Club Brugge’s second string team, Club NXT, before his promotion to the senior team.
Brugge coach lauds Campbell’s potential
“Shandre is training with the team now. He has shown that he has the potential and this is how we work,” said Hayen.
“We give players with high potential the next step by training with the first team and give them minutes where it’s possible. When he deserves it, he will get the minutes.”
Campbell will hope to get more minutes in the senior team, having played for just five, during Brugge’s 2-2 draw with Sint-Truiden, in the Belgian top flight.
He had also made the bench on two occasions for the senior team before his inclusion into the matchday squad on Tuesday.
How did SA starlet win place in senior team?
The 19-year-old signed for Club Brugge at the end of last season but the Belgian giants opted to develop him from their second-string side Club NXT where he scored six goals and provided one assist in 15 games.
That was enough to convince Hayen that the South African was ripe for a place in the senior team and he will now be looking forward to more opportunities.
Brugge will visit Aston Villa in the return leg next Wednesday when Campbell will hope to get his first taste of Champions League football.
