Pic: Young Irish midfielder Jack Byrne looks to have stepped up to Manchester City’s first team

Hopefully it won't be long before Jack Byrne's appearing for Manchester City and Ireland.

The Dubliner plays for the Premier League champions U-19 side, having joined the club from schoolboy side St Kevin's, and looks to be the real deal. Byrne is a regular in Patrick Vieira’s Elite Development Squad, and has scored goals in the UEFA Youth League tournament, competing against Europe's best prospects. A place in City's first team squad also doesn't look far off. The 18 year old posted pictures of first-team training today, where he's involved in a game of 'in-the-middle', against Spanish internationals David Silva and Jesus Navas, as well as City striker Edin Dzeko and Frank Lampard. https://instagram.com/p/1BMJ6ME1Qv/ Byrne posted a similar picture yesterday, featuring Yaya Toure as they took part in an exercise drill. https://instagram.com/p/0_Bqphk1f4/?taken-by=jackb8 His coach Vieira spoke highly of Byrne in the past. 'What I like about Jack is his personality. He doesn’t get scared at all, he just plays his football,' the former Arsenal captain said. 'He can be different to Scholes, who was more about getting in the box – he scores more goals than Jack, so I think Jack will be a different type of player. But they are both great on the ball. Jack is really young and not afraid – he really wants to play'. 'Now he needs to keep playing, keep working hard and like all the lads at this club he needs to take the opportunity that presents itself. If he keeps working hard, the chance will come for him to challenge himself at a different level'. Fair play Jack, keep it up. H/T Manchester Evening News.