Gillingham’s young goalkeeper Joe Walsh is being watched by Celtic and Everton, Steve Evans has confirmed.
The 17-year-old stopper is attracting attention from a number of big clubs according to the Gills manager, although no offers have been received.
Walsh has made just three senior appearances for Gillingham, all in the EFL Trophy, but Evans revealed a number of sides including those from overseas, had been to watch him play.
“Some of these big clubs will be looking and thinking, because of the homegrown rule as well, they need homegrown players. He is a big asset to us,” the Gills boss told Kent Online.
“We know the people that are coming, it’s not made up. Celtic have been here, Everton have been here, overseas clubs, a couple of German clubs saying they are looking at our young goalkeeper. But there is a difference between looking and being prepared to come back and buy someone.”
Despite the interest, Evans was quick to point out that Walsh is still at a very early stage of his development.
“Joe is at a very early stage of his career. I don’t even think he is long 17. He is a baby and he is going to have a wonderful career.
“He is learning all the time, playing and training and watching Jack Bonham and working with Simon Royce (the goalkeeper coach) as well who is bringing him on.
“We saw at Ipswich that he has lots to learn. He made one or two costly errors that night, but you can see in training he is getting better, he is communicating more effectively. He is a quiet lad, but he will do very well.
“On the occasional times we allow Joe to play with the youth team he looks like a first-team player in the youth team, it becomes very obvious to the eye. That is how much he has made progress and it’s testament to his ability.
“Clubs will look. Whether some big club wants to come and take him as part of their development group, that is what the big clubs are doing. Nobody has come to us and said that, but that is what the big clubs are doing.
“I have had managers ask me about him, I have had managers ask me about Connor (Ogilvie) in the last week from the Championship. People notice when you are doing well.”
Gillingham are currently sat in mid-table and face games against MK Dons (h), Ipswich (a) and Rochdale (h) in the next three games.