Everton have scouted Ross County’s record-breaking defender Dylan Smith, who recently became the club’s youngest ever player, as well as the SPFL’s youngest appearance maker so far this season.
Making his debut for County back in August, Smith has impressed throughout his eight appearances and completed 90 minutes in Friday night’s 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen in front of scouts from Goodison Park.
That’s according to the MailOnline, who report: “Everton also ran the rule over Ross County’s promising right-back Dylan Smith. The 16-year-old only left school earlier this season but could soon be studying how to replace Seamus Coleman in the coming months.”
Indeed, Ross County’s manager Malky Mackay believes that the 16-year-old defender has earned his place in the first team and stated that he has ‘really high hopes’ for the youngster.
Speaking with Press and Journal, Mackay stated: “He’s there on merit, he’s not there for any reason other than that.
“I was very proud of him against Celtic, making his full debut at 16 years old. He’s the youngest player in the Premiership this year, and he has just come off the back of international caps as well.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
“He was playing against the best centre-forward in the league and showed a real calmness, so I’ve got really high hopes for him at Ross County.”
Smith could be the elusive replacement for Coleman that Everton desperately need
Should Smith have ambitions of securing Everton’s first-choice spot at right-back, he will first need to dislodge his compatriot Nathan Patterson, who joined the Toffees in a £16m deal from Rangers in January 2022 and is seen as Coleman’s successor.
Indeed, Coleman’s current deal expires after this season and with no talk of an extension as of yet, it looks likely that the veteran could depart Goodison Park after 14 years with the club.
Should Smith join the Blues, hopefully he will prove to be the bargain that Coleman has been for the club.