Former Bohemians midfielder Jamie Mullins has been tipped to knock on the first-team door at Premier League side Brighton this season.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder was singled out for praise after the Seagulls’ opening Premier League 2 fixture, which ended in a 2-0 defeat against West Ham.

Mullins has been handed the captain’s armband for the new campaign by head coach Shannon Ruth.

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And the teenager, who turns 20 at the end of September, lived up to his new billing despite the reversal at the weekend.

Mullins joined Brighton from Bohs in January 2023, following the same path as two other former Dalymount Park prospects Evan Ferguson and Warren O’Hora.

Ferguson is now a first-team star with the Premier League outfit, while O’Hora (25) has played almost 200 first-team games for MK Dons and current club Hibernian.

First team football isn’t too far off for Mullins, according to Ruth, if he continues on his current trajectory.

“Jamie has had a really good year and we are hopeful that in the next six months he can continue to shine and maybe either be around our first team fringes or go out on loan,” said Ruth.

“We think he can step up as one of the older players in the team and that can be a platform for him.”

Ruth has turned to Mullins for the role of captain as he feels the Irishman’s experience can help some of his side’s younger players settle in at Premier League 2 level.

Among the starting-11 against West Ham were 16-year-old England youth team players Harry Howell and Freddie Simmonds.

“I was really pleased and proud of the lads,” Ruth added. “For such a young team, the way we played and some of the courage they showed, I didn’t think we deserved to be behind.”

“West Ham had physical attributes and some promising players on the break, but overall I was disappointed for the team because I didn’t think we deserved to lose.”

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