And the midfielder – who made an eye-catching debut in Tuesday night’s 2-0 BetVictor League defeat at Ramsbottom United – hopes regular football under Blues’ boss Phil Brown can see him continue to flourish.

“I really enjoyed it. It was good to be on the pitch playing football. You can’t ask for much more,” said the 19-year-old.

“I want to get as many minutes as possible. There’s no hiding that. At Lancaster I wasn’t getting the minutes or being given the opportunity so hopefully I’ll get that here and do well with them.

“The more games I can get under my belt the better.

“Phil spoke to me about his aims and goals and it sounds promising and that’s why I chose to come here.”

O’Neil was handed an instant start alongside Charlie Russell in central midfield and helped Clitheroe control the opening half at Ramsbottom.

The former North End youngster – whose father Brian ended his prolific playing career with a three-year spell at Deepdale – was tidy on the ball and looked sharp, given his recent lack of competitive football.

But Brown’s boys couldn’t push home their early advantage and conceded twice after the break to lose their unbeaten away record.

“I thought we started well and the first half went well for us, bar getting a goal,” O’Neil added.

“We came out in the second half knowing they would were going to come out flying because I think we dominated the first half.

“Just as we said we shouldn’t do, we let them back into the game and the first goal changes the game and the second almost kills it off.

“It makes it difficult for us when we worked really hard in the first half and then two goals change the game really quickly.

“But I like what I’ve seen and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”