Gillingham manager Steve Evans doesn’t want his young striker Gerald Sithole reading this.

Evans was keen to praise the teenage striker for his impact in the FA Cup game against Cheltenham Town on Saturday but said the last time he dished out complements for the youngster his form dropped right off.

Sithole, 18, volleyed in an equaliser at Priestfield and his lively performance helped turn the game in Gillingham’s favoiur after coming off the bench at the break.

“The last time we gave him praise he went really poor for weeks,” said Evans.

“He obviously read the words, he has got everything to be a real good players but he needs not to hear this, because last time he came and listened to stupid agents and suddently became a superstar.

“We put him back with the youth team, he played with them a week last Friday but I love the kid, I absolutely love him, he is a real good talent.

“He has got frightening pace, he almost got a second at the back stick, it just wouldn’t drop for him.

“He is a good finisher. His finishing in training on the Friday was sensational. I have worked with some of the best finishes, Ivan Toney (now playing for Brentford in the Premier League). His finishing in training was up there and his finish (on Saturday) was an Ivan Toney-type of finish.”

More on the Gills;

• Defender tells kids to make the most of opportunity

• Loan striker Kelman hits hat-trick on return to QPR

• Away trip for Gills if they can see off Cheltenham