Sunderland have ‘dominant’ Dan Neil successor waiting in the wings as starlet impresses during loan spell

Add as preferred source on Google

Sunderland starlet continues to impress this season after playing pivotal role loan outfit’s 4-0 win.

Under their current regime, Sunderland have become recognised throughout the Championship as supreme young talent spotters, and developers of the country’s top prospects.

17-year-old Chris Rigg is an Academy of Light graduate on the radar of Europe’s elite.

Jobe Bellingham could follow in Jude’s footsteps with Borussia Dortmund interested in the 83-game Sunderland star.

Academy graduate Dan Neil’s displays this season, in his first wearing the captain’s armband, has seen Everton and AS Roma interested in his services.

With Neil entering the final year of his current Sunderland deal, and with their league status next season yet to be determined, the Black Cats hierarchy have another top midfield prospect waiting to mark his mark on Wearside who continues to court plaudits out on loan.

• READ MORE: Where are Tony Mowbray’s 22/23 play-off first leg Sunderland squad now

Sunderland loanee Nectarios Triantis stars in Hibernian’s 4-0 win vs Dundee

Black Cats youngster Nectarios Triantis has been in stellar form during his loan stint at Scottish Premier League side Hibernian this season.

Triantis arrived on Wearside in the summer of 2023, and was sent to Hibs on loan midway through his first Sunderland season, then returned north of the border for the 24/25 campaign.

The Australian international has one of the Scottish top flight’s best performers this term, making 29 starts for David Gray’s third-place side, notching eight goal contributions in the process.

Triantis’ latest outing to catch the eye came in Sunday’s 4-0 hammering of Dundee in which the 21-year-old dominated the midfield.

As part of a midfield two, Triantis enjoyed an 89% pass accuracy, played nine passes into the final third and made three tackles to help Hibs to their fourth win in five.

Triantis started the campaign in a spate of ill-discipline, with his straight red card in the 2-1 loss to Motherwell, but has matured his displays as the season has progressed.

Hibs boss Gray then said of Triantis, earlier this season: “His red card, it probably affected him slightly, but I think in the last two or three weeks he’s been much more like himself, much more dominating in the middle of the pitch. So he’s learnt from that which is great.”

Wearside onlookers will be pleased with his performances and development, both technically and with his temperament. Triantis has been linked with a permanent move to Hibs but his displays this term would merit an important role in Le Bris’ side next season.

• READ MORE: Regis Le Bris must solve struggling Sunderland star’s goal drought

Nectarios Triantis can succeed Dan Neil if Sunderland skipper is sold this summer

Triantis was signed by Sunderland from A-League side Central Coast Mariners as a recognised centre-back. However, his development at Hibs has seen him shift into a holding midfielder, getting the best out of his pedigree on the ball and defensive output.

Gray told The Scotsman recently: “He’s (Triantis) got really good attributes to be a really good number six and he’s demonstrating that. He’s getting better all the time. He’s still contracted to Sunderland so we’ll address that as and when.

“There will be conversations with a number of players at the end of the season. Clearly he’s contracted to Sunderland so we’ll see where that situation goes.”

With Sunderland’s first-choice number six Neil wanted by some top tier clubs, and approaching the final 12 months of his current deal, there are fears that if the Black Cats fail to earn promotion this season through the Championship play-offs that the academy graduate could be one departing this summer.

If that does come to fruition then Triantis – buoyed off the back of his standout season in Scotland – will be well in contention for a starting spot in Le Bris’ Black Cats team next season.