Former Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler believes whoever takes over as manager at Gillingham will have a potential star on their hands.

Hessenthaler, now director of football at Priestfield, has likened last year’s youth captain Bradley Dack to Chelsea’s Frank Lampard after making a wave in the junior ranks.

Dack smashed in over 20 goals for the Gills’ under-18s from midfield last season to earn himself a senior contract.

He will be one of six youth members to start a third year scholarship next season, training alongside the senior side, and has already agreed a deal to turn professional for the 2013/14 season.

Hessenthaler said: “He looks like a lad who can progress.

“He could be the next Frank Lampard. He loves driving forward and he loves scoring goals.

“He still has loads to work on but he definitely has a bright future the kid.

“Throughout the season I would phone up to see how the youth team got on and I knew his name would come up on the scoresheet,

“He reminds me of Frank. I know that’s a big reputation to follow but why not?

“If he could emulate what Frank Lampard has done then we have a proper player on our hands.”