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Dundee United boss Thomas Courts says he is unsure whether the likes of Liverpool will swoop for Kerr Smith in January, but is sure the youngster can handle the pressure that comes with such interest.

Smith, 16, is currently with the Scotland under-19 squad. But he has been earning rave reviews at Tannadice. The defender has made six appearances this season and played at centre-back and right-back. His name is well known south of the border with a number of Premier League clubs checking on him.

Smith trained with Manchester United, Aston Villa and Everton in 2020 before signing his first professional contract with Dundee United.

Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to sign Smith though, according to The Sun.

But Courts believes the youngster is focused on his development and in no hurry to leave.

“Kerr has had to deal with it for the best part of a year now so it’s nothing new for him,” Courts told The Courier.

“He has been down training with English Premier League clubs in the past so we know they are aware of him.

“It’s a pretty unique situation having a 16-year-old playing regularly in your first team and being good enough. When that happens there is always a lot of interest, especially with a defender because of the physical profile.

“And if someone of his age can handle it, then it’s attractive to clubs because they will think: ‘Where will this boy be in four years’ time if he’s already playing at 16?’

“Kerr is a really level-headed guy. He doesn’t get put up or down by much and that’s a great temperament to have.

“Hopefully we can keep him developing at our club for a while longer. Do we expect bids in January? I am not entirely sure, we are aware of the speculation but I don’t know of anything developing.

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Mulgrew the role model

“Kerr will be having input from a lot of people who will be helping him. My role in that is to just keep him focused on football.

“It’s nice for me to play that role for him, just focus on what he needs to do on the training pitch and in games.

“It’s a good problem to have, seeing him linked with big clubs.

“We want to keep him as long as possible but we also know he’s a talented player and naturally there will be interest.”

Playing alongside the experienced Charlie Mulgrew, 35, is one of the reasons Smith decided to stay.

But just how long Dundee United can keep hold of the Montrose-born starlet remains to be seen.

READ MORE: Gerrard’s Aston Villa move a ‘gamble’ and could have implications for Liverpool ‘dream’

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