‘I would take it…’ – Leeds Exclusive: Whelan reacts to big Jack Harrison reveal
Noel Whelan has claimed modern players like Jack Harrison are more “sensitive” than in his day after the “cracking” Leeds United loanee revealed he shut down his Twitter due to online abuse.
The former Whites and Coventry striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, claimed footballers do endure criticism from “ignorant” fans on social media but says it would not affect him.
In an interview with ESPN, Harrison, 23, opened up on the “ruthless” criticism he was faced on Twitter during his first season at Elland Road and how it led to him deleting the social media platform.
Harrison is approaching the end of his two-year loan spell from Premier League champions Manchester City, having arrived in the summer of 2018.
As revealed by Football Insider, Marcelo Bielsa is keen to make the winger his first signing if United gain promotion from the Championship this season.
When asked by Football Insider if fans realise the affect they can have on players through social media, Whelan said: “There is a very small minority who are ignorant. But it does affect players these days.
“Social media was not ripe when I was playing but I was told on the street if I was rubbish and fair enough, I would take it. I knew if I was crap on the day. I took it like a man when I got the praise and I took it like a man when I got criticised.
“These days players are a little more sensitive to this. That is the way the game has gone, unfortunately. It would be water off a duck’s back to me.
“It takes a bit of time to settle in and now look at him – a very good player. If we get him for £8million that is a snip because he will be a cracking player.”
This season, Harrison has already bettered his goal and assists return from the last.
The loanee has been ever-present this season, scoring five goals and providing seven assists whilst also hitting the woodwork on countless occasions.
In other Leeds United news, Michael Brown has told Football Insider he expects Augustin to make impact after physical transformation.