Chris Rigg is delivering on his teenage sensation status as Sunderland strive for promotion and there are hopes he can become 'Messi Mark II' - but the battle to keep hold of the 17-year-old is on as Europe's top clubs circle, writes DAVID COVERDALE

Chris Rigg had played less than 15 minutes of senior football when the first resounding verdict came in from Sunderland’s club captain.

Brought off the bench with the Black Cats trailing against League One Shrewsbury in the FA Cup in January 2023, the 15-year-old schoolboy helped inspire his side to a dramatic 2-1 victory.

Then, moments after the final whistle, Luke O’Nien – who had just scored the 94th-minute winner - turned to the camera on the pitch, pointed to debutant Rigg and declared: ‘What a player’.

It is a three-word remark now being repeated by everyone who sees the teenage sensation in action for the first time.