Cathcart on Royal rise

Belfast boy on the rise

"We all saw how much Jonny Evans came on when he went to Belgium. Hopefully Craig Cathcart will make as much of a success of his time there."

- Roy Millar, Northern Ireland U21 coach


Young Belfast-born centre-half Craig Cathcart is being tipped to make a rapid rise up the ranks after joining Royal Antwerp on loan.

The highly-rated 18-year-old Reds defender has joined the Belgian club on loan until January, following a path trodden by a number of young United players, including compatriot and Old Trafford team-mate Jonny Evans.

Evans, who had a successful spell helping Sunderland to promotion from the Championship last season, is staying at Old Trafford this season with first-team opportunities likely to come his way.

Now Northern Ireland Under-21 boss Roy Millar hopes Cathcart's move to Antwerp will prove as big a success as it did for Evans, who made his international debut for the senior squad last term before even appearing in United's first-team.

"Going to Antwerp will be good for Craig and it will help his development," said Millar. "We all saw how much Jonny came on when he went to Belgium and got first team football.

"Hopefully Craig will make as much of a success of his time there as there is no doubt he is a talented defender."