ANDY Kellett’s dream debut for Wanderers in midweek capped a remarkable turnaround for the versatile wide man.

Dougie Freedman admits he had reservations about Kellett’s ability to break into the first-team reckoning on his arrival at the club.

But the Wanderers boss has praised the way the Bromley Cross youngster has turned his game round to become the first Boltonian to make his debut for the Whites in eight years.

“Andy has had a difficult 18 months. It hasn’t been plain sailing,” Freedman told The Bolton News.

“He had to make sure that his off-the-field attitude was better. But he’s certainly got a bit of character and he’s worked hard at it. He deserves his little go.

“He’s performed well most of the time for the Under-21s and I said 18 months ago that if they’re good enough, I’ll play them. I’ve got absolutely no problem doing that.

“I didn’t know he was the first Bolton lad to make his debut for the club in all that time – it certainly wasn’t in my mind when I picked him – but he deserved his shot.

“That’s why I like working with young players, like Andy they can take things on board and change. Older players sometimes have habits which make coaching them on new things a lot, lot harder.”