Preston North End boss shares verdict on Harrison Armstrong after Everton loanee’s first start

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Everton talent Harrison Armstrong impressed as he made his first start for Preston North End on Tuesday night.

Everton fans had become a little twitchy over Harrison Armstrong’s situation at Preston North End.

David Moyes loaned Armstrong to PNE on deadline day, striking a deal with his former club as the window slammed shut.

Armstrong only made the bench in his first three games for PNE, and Everton fans were concerned about his role at Deepdale.

Armstrong made his first North End start against Hull City on Tuesday night and impressed in a 2-2 draw.

• READ MORE: Seamus Coleman says Harrison Armstrong has one trait that sets him apart from other Everton youngsters

Preston North End boss on Everton loanee Harrison Armstrong

Armstrong lined up in a midfield three, supporting the PNE attack alongside Alfie Devine as Ben Whiteman protected the back line.

The 18-year-old Everton talent played 81 minutes for North End and impressed boss Paul Heckingbottom in the process.

Speaking to the Lancashire Evening Post, Heckingbottom praised Armstrong’s talent as well as his character.

Heckingbottom explained that Armstrong was substituted due to cramp, having gone down in the second half.

Heckingbottom certainly sees a big role for Armstrong at Deepdale, believing that he will begin to play full 90-minute games soon enough.

“Yeah, he’s a real good character, a real good player,” said Heckingbottom.

“He’ll be good for us. Like I said, just cramp. I’ll look at his physical data, he’ll be right up there, be through the roof and he’ll get up to speed and get in his 90s the more games he gets,” he added.

• READ MORE: Everton insiders convinced they have a future superstar on their hands and David Moyes agrees

Harrison Armstrong will play an important role for PNE – this is not an Anthony Gordon situation

Some Everton fans were concerned that Armstrong would go the same way as Anthony Gordon at PNE.

Gordon joined North End on loan from Everton in January 2021, but struggled for starts before returning to Merseyside.

Gordon still became a star, but his frustrating spell in Lancashire left some Everton fans fearing the worst for Armstrong.

The situations are very different, though.

Gordon joined a struggling PNE side and was one of eight new signings to arrive in the January transfer window.

North End underwent a mass overhaul in the middle of the season, and results unsurprisingly took a real dive.

Manager Alex Neil largely opted for experienced players at the time, as he attempted and ultimately failed to retain his job at Deepdale.

Gordon started just five games for PNE as their struggles in the Championship heavily impacted his playing time.

Armstrong is in a totally different situation, as he joins a North End side who sit sixth in the Championship table.

North End have enjoyed a strong start to the season and have lost just once in the first eight games.

Armstrong should play a key role moving forward, and he will hope to help Heckingbottom continue this fine start.