Liam Cooper has big praise for two Leeds talents, six senior games between them

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Liam Cooper has told Norwegian media – as quoted by Leeds Live – as saying that Leeds United have two exciting youngsters coming through in the form of Leo Hjelde and Kris Klaesson, clearly impressed behind the scenes.

Cooper, 31, spent the weekend helping Scotland produce a stunning comeback in their European qualifier against Norway to win 2-1 away from home. He came on for Kieran Tierney with slightly less than 30 minutes left to play.

Erling Haaland had given Norway the lead moments before Cooper’s introduction. But, two goals in the space of two minutes in the final moments of normal time from Lyndon Dykes and Kenny McLean secured a historic Scotland win.

Before the match, Cooper was asked about our two Norwegian youngsters by a reporter from the hosts. He was full of praise for both Hjelde and Klaesson, backing both to go on and have “unbelievable” careers for club and country.

“Two great kids, very good lads, obviously involved in the u21s with Norway. Leo went out on loan last season and did very well at Rotherham. I’m quite close with Kris as well. It must be so difficult for lads like that,” Cooper said.

“Coming into a new country, being so young, but they’re really good lads, really polite lads. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about them and hopefully they can go on to have an unbelievable career at both club and country.”

Cooper says Leeds have two exciting talents in Hjelde and Klaesson

Hjelde impressed out on loan for Rotherham in the Championship last season, and with Leeds likely to sell Junior Firpo this summer, he has every chance of installing himself as the club’s first-choice left-back for the 23-24 term.

For Klaesson, it is trickier. Even with Illan Meslier likely to go, and Joel Robles not yet being offered a new deal. The overriding belief is that Klaesson, who has only played once for Leeds, will not be made the club’s starting stopper.

Hjelde has only played five times since his move from Celtic, but there is more hope surrounding his Leeds future. Little surprise, given ex-Ross County boss John Hughes likened him to Virgil van Dijk, while Hjelde was on loan.