Report: Nottingham Forest taking a closer look at two exciting talents, 10-day trial agreed
10/16/2024 12:30 PM
Behind the scenes, the work never stops at Nottingham Forest – particularly when it comes to the club’s academy.
Gary Brazil ended a long association with Forest last year, with Rangers academy director Craig Mulholland swapping Ibrox for the City Ground.
The Reds now boast a Category One academy and that has opened up some exciting doors for the club’s talented youngsters.
Under Mulholland’s watch, Forest have opted to enter the EFL Trophy and last season, the Reds reached the knockout stages of the competition.
Cormac Daly joined Forest from Hamilton in September last year and that very much felt like a signing made by the current academy director given his work in Scotland.
It’s not just Scotland that is being scoured for new players, however, and now some news of two trialists away from England has come to light.
Nottingham Forest take two Oisin Cooney and Gavin McAteer on trial
The Reds have now targeted Ireland – not for the first time – in their attempts to add new players to the academy ranks.
According to Donegal Live, Finn Harps duo Cooney and McAteer are to spend next week at the City Ground as they look to win Forest contracts.
It’s claimed that the pair will travel to Nottingham on Sunday and have been given a 10-day window to prove themselves to the club.
On Tuesday, Cooney and McAteer will appear in a trial game at the club’s Nigel Doughty Training Ground and that will give both players a chance to shine.
Both players are under contract with Finn Harps but if they impress Forest, it’s not anticipated that there will be any issues agreeing terms.
Who are Oisin Cooney and Gavin McAteer?
Both players are Irish and are currently playing regular football in the Republic of Ireland First Division for Finn Harps.
Cooney is a goalkeeper who has risen through the youth ranks to make eight appearances this season, helping his club win three matches in the process.
The 17-year-old is growing in confidence under the scrutiny of senior football and he’s also been capped by the Republic of Ireland youth ranks.
McAteer typically plays through the middle and he’s made 15 outings for the senior ranks with Finn Harps.
He’s played some of his football as a number 10 but on other occasions, he’s been utilised as a more conventional central midfielder.
Both players will be hoping to get their big breaks with Forest next week and it will be intriguing to see how they perform during the 10-day City Ground trial.
