Everton youngster Tierney: Great to work with Baines | OneFootball

Everton youngster Jack Tierney admits he's enjoyed working with Leighton Baines for the U18s this season.

The Liverpool Echo says Baines retired after 13 years and 420 appearances for Everton at the end of the 2019/20 season, but was immediately brought back to the club as professional development coach.

The former defender's remit was to work closely with young first-team players as well as the club's under-23s and under-18s squads.

But following Phil Jevons' departure to Sunderland back in September, Baines moved to become Paul Tait's assistant on a short-term basis.

Tierney said, “Leighton is great to work with. He's always been in the situations as a defender that you have got to deal with.

“He has great advice to give to you. The first bit of advice that he gave us after watching us train was about our body shape.

“Especially for him being a full-back, he had people trying to get past the side of him. It's something with my size that I've been trying to work on.

“Being on my toes, side on which gives me a better chance of getting to any loose balls or anything played over the top or forcing the striker one way onto his weaker foot.

“He's always talking about the back four, how they all need to work together. The main thing was working together with your centre-half partner.

“Go together, if there's a space the other comes round. Having someone with his knowledge, giving us advice can only be helpful."