Notts County chairman Alan Hardy admits signing Matty Virtue on-loan from Liverpool was an emotional experience.

The 20-year-old joined the League Two promotion challengers for the rest of the season and made an impressive debut in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Lincoln City.

“I almost had a tear in my eye when he signed," Hardy said.

“Nobody else saw it. I was just stood back watching him sign the forms and I just froze for a minute.

“I took a photo and took stock of the fact we had signed a Liverpool player on loan.

“This is one of their top talents coming through and it underlines just how far we have come.

“Last year, Liverpool would not have even answered the phone to us never mind trusted us with one of their stars of the future.

“It was a really poignant and important moment for me.

“As a chairman it was on my bucket list to sign a Liverpool player."