Sparta Rotterdam chief Kenneth Butter admits Liverpool ace Gini Wijnaldum was being likened to Rud Gullit was a youngster.

Butter, now a scout with Sparta, was team manager during Wijnaldum's time with the club.

"In Georginio I saw a new Gullit," Butter told De Telegraaf.

"With his dreadlocks he had a certain appearance and he danced with the ball. He scored goals at will.

"We played with Sparta in Italy at a tournament against Juventus and Bayern Munich. Afterwards the Bayern trainer came to us. He had never seen boys of that age play so well. So offensive, with so much vision and such good football."

On Wijnaldum's character, he continued: "He was no big head, as some street football players sometimes are. On the contrary, he was a very warm, modest boy.

"I was very proud when Georginio made his debut at Feyenoord."