Chris Shields is predicting Matthew Orr's meteoric rise to continue as interest in the teenage Linfield defender grows.

Premier League giants Newcastle United are reportedly monitoring Orr after his impressive performances for the Blues.

The 17-year-old announced himself on the big stage coming off the bench to score on his competitive debut for Linfield against Stjarnan in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers back in July.

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Since then Orr has gone on to play 18 times for the Blues this campaign and Shields, who has taken the teen under his wing at Windsor Park, said he has earned his place on merit.

"Matty's been brilliant for us and is well-worth his position in the team," said Shields. "He's not there because people are injured, if he's fit he's keeping players out of the team and that's a credit to himself.

"He's got a big stature for a boy and he probably still has room to grow yet, sure he's not even 18. I remember when I had a brief stint coaching a side along with Doc Devlin, who deserves so much credit for the huge amount of players he's brought through from his age group.

"I remember Matty training, he was a sleight kid then, but I had to do a double take in training questioning if it was the same person because he has filled out over the last couple of years. He's met everything head on and his skill level at one-on-one defending is one of the best I've seen.

"He takes everything in his stride and is very humble. You met plenty of questionable young lads in this generation but thankfully he's not one of them. He's exceptional. He's a credit to himself and his parents. He's been brought up very well, very mannerly."

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