High praise for Portsmouth striker as international boss recognises importance of Fratton Park stay in helping Brighton youngster fulfil 'serious potential'

That’s the high praise Republic of Ireland under-21 boss Jim Crawford has bestowed on the 19-year-old as he prepares to make his latest appearance for his country in Turkey on Friday.

And the Eire coach believes he’ll see even more encouraging gains in the exciting young striker’s game during the next international break in October - all thanks to his loan spell at Pompey.

O’Mahony moved to Fratton Park from Brighton on a temporay basis in the final days of the transfer window and just hours after scoring his maiden senior goal for the Seagulls in their Carabao Cup win against Crawley.

The Cork-born forward then came off the bench for the Blues in their Championship defeat at the hands of Sunderland, before linking up with his Ireland team-mates for an important Uefa European Under-21 Championships qualifier in Istanbul.

It represents a whirlwind week for the highly-rated striker, who is already drawing comparisons to fellow countryman and Brighton team-mate Evan Ferguson.

But according to Crawford, whose team sit third in their qualifying group, O’Mahony has the character and ability to back up the hype and go far in the game - qualities that, in his eyes, will be strengthen by his time spent on loan at Fratton Park.

Crawford told The Irish Examiner: ‘As a young man with values, he’s excellent. We did our homework before he came in (to the under-21 set-up) so I was well aware of what type of fella he is.

‘I knew he was like that when he first came in, but he’s more comfortable in the environment.

‘He wants to learn and improve. He’s at a club now where he’ll play games at a high level.

‘I think Mark has serious potential. By the next window in October, the final group matches against Norway in Cork and Italy away, he’ll have improved from the matches with Portsmouth.’

Pompey fans got a glimpse of what to expect from their summer recruit as he played the final half hour of the PO4 defeat at the hands of the Black Cats last Saturday.

Making an impression on the international stage against Turkey and then Latvia on Tuesday will no doubt put him in contention to start against West Brom, when the Blues return to Championship duty on Sunday, September 15.

John Mousinho’s side are still looking for their first win of the season. For Crawford, a player of O’Mahony’s calibre will help the Blues quickly address that early-season stat.

‘Mark’s potential is enormous,’ he added.

‘He’s strong, his link-up play, movement is brilliant, he can score goals and he listens.

‘Don’t ask me what his ceiling is because I know with all those attributes it will be very high. He’ll tighten up on those too and I’ve no doubt he’ll be exceptional.’