I'm a Liverpool and England hero - now I'm invested in Man City's next generation

Emile Heskey has an admission: he fell asleep and missed his son's Manchester City debut this summer.

Perhaps he can be forgiven, though - it was 3am in the morning and the former England and Liverpool striker follows youngsters Jaden and Reigan up and down the country as they look to make their own names at City. And he's playing a crucial part in helping two of the most exciting talents within the academy navigate a pivotal part of their exciting careers.

Watching on from the stands this week as Jaden captained City in the UEFA Youth League and Reigan notched another two goals, Emile could not hide his pride at seeing his sons partner each other in the same team. He's enjoying being a dad, and not an ex-footballer.

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Speaking to MEN Sport, Heskey explained his deliberate parenting style with his two sons forging on with the academy.

"The one thing I always said to them was to let them enjoy their football, that's what it's all about," he said. "You don't come into football for anything else. It becomes a bit more serious the higher you go and what you want to achieve. This part of football is what I enjoy.

"I can give them advice but it's their career. And if I give them advice which goes against what the manager says, what happens? I tend to sit back and when they ask, or when I see something which I think is obvious I'll give my opinion. But I try to enjoy being the dad and watching them play rather than being a coach and telling them what to do. Sometimes you have to sit back and let them enjoy it."

Heskey admits that staying out of his sons' development can be tough, especially with the top level career he enjoyed and the knowledge that comes with it. But both youngsters appreciate the hands-off approach he has fostered, knowing they can always turn to their dad when they need to. On their terms.

"If I need some advice I go to them to ask questions, both my dad and Jaden," explains 16-year-old Reigan. "It's good having footballers around me. It's not so much pressure, but it's big shoes to fill. I'm happy to be near him."

If supporters were to imagine Emile Heskey's son, they may picture a tall, physical, 'big man' of a player. Yet Jaden is strong and shorter, while Reigan is tall, speedy and skilful. Jaden wears the captain's armband in the academy these days and scored in the FA Youth Cup final last season - Reigan has 14 goals in 15 games so far this term and is in electric form.

"It's good to see them playing together now with one captain and the other scoring for fun," Emile says. "I knew they could play together from a young age when one was kicking the younger one around.

"They're very different characters, let alone players. Same mum, same dad but totally different characters. You'd think they're not brothers. But if I put them both together they're me. If you split them apart they're half me, half not!

"Jaden's the big brother, he helps Reigan get through ups and downs because he's been there longer, and different terrains you have to go through in professional football."

The Heskey family is a supportive one, with their other siblings going to games to support the two brothers. Jaden is two years older than Reigan and is a useful ear to have in the dressing room - and on the pitch.

Reigan explains: "We grew up playing in the back garden. I know him well, he knows me well. I can see what he's trying to do so it helps me - when he tries to do something I can go off that with my movement. It works well. In training, we work on the chemistry between us and show it on the pitch."

With more goal contributions in a City shirt than Erling Haaland this season, Reigan is naturally attracting interest from City fans for his prolific output. He puts his start down to the right preparation and riding with the momentum, saying he aims to get among the goals every time he steps onto the pitch - 'I like to express myself. one-v-ones, making chances out of whatever I can get. As an attacker that's what the goal is every game to score goals."

His coach, Ben Wilkinson, is impressed with his step into full-time football after leaving school in the summer, and City are challenging him to add an element of unpredictability to his game on top of his goals.

"He has been really impressive since he has come in the building as a full-timer," the EDS coach said. "He has got obvious physical attributes for a boy of 16, that in the modern game I feel you need. He’s got real quality when he comes inside. I thought he showed good variety in his game [vs Feyenoord] which is a good development step and he is on the right track."

Whatever happens with both Reigan and Jaden, the family will be in the stands watching every step. Emile chose City for the pair over offers from Liverpool because of the coaching methods and playing style in the academy, and it's a decision that has paid off.

Jaden was among the youngsters called up for the summer pre-season tour, making his senior debut in a friendly vs Barcelona - a game that was delayed for an hour due to a thunderstorm in Orlando, meaning the Heskeys had to try and stay up until the early hours back in Manchester. He replaced Jack Grealish (a former teammate of his dad at Aston Villa) just after 3am back home.

"I actually missed that one, I fell asleep!" Emile admits with a smile. "I stayed up for the game before, the whole game. but fell asleep the one he played. I didn't think he'd come on.

"It's great to see him make his debut in pre-season. That's what he wants to do, he wants to play first team football."

You get the sense that there will be far more opportunities to see both Heskey sons play first team football in the future. And their dad will be watching on with pride when they do.