City’s teenage goal machine Oliver McBurnie has been warned: The hard work starts here.

The 17-year-old celebrated signing his first professional deal with a second successive hat-trick for the youth team.

It has been a magical couple of months for the striker, who starred for Manchester United’s youngsters in the Milk Cup during the summer.

McBurnie has been promoted to train with the senior squad and last week penned a three-year contract.

Seen as a young James Hanson, Phil Parkinson is excited about McBurnie’s progress but also determined to keep his feet on the ground.

Parkinson said: “Oli has had a terrific start to the season. What a time he has had since coming back in the summer and going off with Man United.

“We’re pleased to have the contract sorted out with him. We want to make sure our best young players are rewarded.

“He has done well and the next stage is signing as a pro. But he knows it’s just a step on the way to where he wants to go – the work really starts now.”

McBurnie scored five goals in five games for United in the Northern Ireland tournament during his work experience, including the winner in the final.

He was straight off the mark for City’s youth team at Grimsby and then stepped it up with back-to-back trebles against Hull and York.

While Parkinson will not hurry his progress, the red-hot hitman could well come into the reckoning for the squad for next Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie with Hartlepool.

Parkinson added: “We want to try and get him involved in the first team picture a little bit more and maybe include him in a couple of squads.

“He is a very grounded lad. I met his family the other day and you can see where he gets it from – he has good support behind him.

“Olly hasn’t let the Man United spell go to his head. At the time, I was slightly concerned when we were asked the question about him but it hasn’t affected him.

“We don’t want to build him up too quickly or too soon. We are going to keep working with him.”

Meanwhile, City’s away game at Coventry – who play their home games at Northampton’s Sixfields Stadium this season – has moved forward to a 2pm kick-off on Saturday, February 15 to avoid clashing with the Northampton Saints, who kick off at 3pm.