Manchester United target Matthew Knox has ‘a lot of clubs interested’, says Livingston manager David Hopkin after his first start

Matthew Knox, 16, made his first start for Livingston on Tuesday evening
Young striker has had trials at Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs
Manager David Hopkin says there is a lot of interest in his young star
But Hopkin wants to keep hold of the striker for at least two more years

Published:
00:28 GMT, 27 April 2016

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Updated:
00:33 GMT, 27 April 2016

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Livingston manager David Hopkin has admitted there are ‘a lot of clubs’ interested in his 16-year-old starlet Matthew Knox.

The teenage forward went on trial with Manchester United in January having also spent short stints with Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton.

And having made his first start in the 1-0 victory over Rangers on Tuesday night, Knox’s manager Hopkin hinted that interest from high-profile clubs is on the rise.

There are ‘a lot of clubs’ said to be interested in Livingston’s 16-year-old striker Matthew Knox

Knox was making his first start for the club and manager David Hopkin said he would like to keep the starlet

MATTHEW KNOX FACTFILE

Age: 16

Position: Forward

Clubs interested: Has had trials at Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton. Rangers have also been linked

‘There is a lot of clubs interested in him,’ Hopkin said.

‘I have spoken to the board and my preference is to keep him here for another two years. He has only turned 16 and he is playing against Rangers and doesn’t look out of place.

‘For a young boy to play for 75 minutes at that level I thought (was) great.

‘I think the board are going back me and hopefully down the road when he is ready to go he will go, but he will go a better player because he has so much talent it is frightening.’

Knox caught the eye of the big boys last summer with his display in a friendly against Real Sociedad and that has prompted invites to Premier League sides, as Sportsmail reported earlier this year.

Hopkin hopes that the Livingston board will back him in keeping Knox out of the clutches of the big clubs

He was looked after by Everton captain Phil Jagielka during his week at their Finch Farm training ground while Tottenham allowed him to watch the first-team train after playing in games for their youth sides. He also managed to score while at Liverpool.

Knox became Livingston’s youngest ever player when he made his debut with a late run-out in the 4-1 Boxing Day win over St Mirren, coming just four days after his 16th birthday, beating the club record set by Leigh Griffiths.

He has made seven first-team appearances in total, but Tuesday night’s was his first start.