The Frenchman believes the 21-year-old Scotland international has what it takes to make it to the very top despite being 5ft 7in. Bannan was given his first-team breakthrough by caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald at the start of the season and Houllier has been suitably impressed with the diminutive midfielder, since he took over the reigns. He told the Daily Star: "I told him to just take a close look at the Barcelona game against Real Madrid. "I said, 'The best players in the world are even smaller than you - Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro and Messi'. "You see them and the way they play and yet you wonder if they have come in from the youth team sometimes. "They have fast technique. They are not players who are slow, stop the ball and then look around and move it. That's for grandad. Not even your dad - your grandad. These players have fast technique." The former Liverpool boss added: "You need that and desire. That's what I like, their work rate when they lose the ball. That should be a lesson to all players." Houllier has urged Bannan to set his sights high and think big if he wants achieve greatness. He added: "The Premier League has got more physical, but it is not a matter of size. It's also a matter of commitment - and Barry is competitive. "I have had players at other clubs who were the same size and had wonderful - careers. "Those very top players are not huge, but they are intelligent, have skill and the desire. Young Barry has all of that."
