Leeds suffered a big blow before the start of tonight’s game in the Championship, losing captain Liam Cooper to a hamstring injury in the warm-up.
Without a centre-back on the bench, after Pontus Jansson was injured in training, Marcelo Bielsa called on young Jamie Shackleton to deputise.
Luke Ayling moved into the centre of defence and Shackleton took over the right-back position and fans were blown away by the performance of the 18-year-old.
He didn’t look out of place at all and showed he’s got the attacking talent when he provided the assist for Kemar Roofe’s equalising goal.
In the end, Leeds kept alive their unbeaten start to the season but couldn’t win four from four, drawing 2-2 at the Liberty Stadium.
Here are the best reactions to Jamie Shakckleton’s display tonight:
https://twitter.com/TSSA_LUFC/status/1031991573054148609
Shackleton looking really good first half #lufc
— Karl Button (@Karllbutton) August 21, 2018
Not been an easy half. Got a hold of it a bit more as the half went on with Klich dropping in for Phillips (one of them nights for him, he'll be fine). Shackleton not phased at all by the game and has been really good. Roofe is on ? #LUFC #MOT
— Graham Hoey (@G_Hoey) August 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/philleeds/status/1031988427854622726
Shackleton outstanding..!! #lufc
— Rob Hargest ?? (@robdog1011) August 21, 2018
Loving Shackleton, looks like another gem #lufc #MOT
— Luke Naylor (@lukechunknaylor) August 21, 2018
Jamie Shackleton what a little player he’s gonna be? #lufc
— Luke Gray (@LukeGray_96) August 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/garyybradshaw/status/1031986430313213955
Finally get our foot on the ball & see what happens. Class from Shackleton #lufc
— Craig S ?? (@craggsy82) August 21, 2018
Shackleton is some fullback. 99 pace my G #lufc
— AP?? (@adamlpatrick93) August 21, 2018
Shackleton ….. class #lufc
— Matt Wilkinson (@iammattyboy) August 21, 2018
ANNOUNCE SHACKLETON 10 YEAR CONTRACT #lufc
— Tom Noble (@_Noble) August 21, 2018
Shackleton already a Leeds legend. Well done lad! #lufc #mot
— Ben (@Ben_Paul) August 21, 2018
OPINION
Leeds have got some really talented youngsters on their books at the moment and Shackleton is the latest whiz-kid to break through into the senior team. He wasn’t expecting to start tonight but got his chance after Cooper suffered a hamstring injury, and he looked every bit the part. It wasn’t a vintage performance from Leeds tonight under any stretch of the imagination, but the way they came from behind twice to take a point and keep their unbeaten start to the Championship was impressive. Shackleton played a big part in that, creating the first goal for Kemar Roofe, who finished smartly. All the hard work was Shackleton’s though and he’ll take a lot of strength from his performance. It won’t have come as a surprise to anyone who saw him play 90 minutes in the league cup against Bolton, but it proved that he can replicate that form away from home against tough Championship opposition. He was very impressive tonight.