Boro starlet keeps debut in perspective
Middlesbrough starlet Ben Hutchinson is keeping his feet firmly on the ground after the biggest week in his career to date.
The 19-year-old striker scored on his Barclays Premier League debut in the 3-1 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday, and followed that up with his fourth goal in five games for the reserves, a late equaliser in last night’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn.
Hutchinson, who joined the Teessiders from non-league Arnold Town in 2006, found himself thrown in at the deep end at Eastlands when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in the midst of a striking crisis, with Mido, Jeremie Aliadiere and Dong-Gook Lee all injured and Tuncay Sanli on his way back.
However, his personal joy was tempered by a comprehensive defeat to City.
And while he will always have fond memories of a difficult afternoon in the north west, he knows the hard work has only just begun.
He said: “A few weeks ago, I was playing in the reserves and didn’t think I had a chance of playing in the first team because we had four strikers.
“Then the injuries struck and I have just tried to take my chance.
“With 40,000 fans screaming, you get nerves, but you just try to block it out and get on with it and do the best you can.
“It was the biggest moment of my life, to be honest. I wanted to celebrate badly, but I knew the situation, so I kept it to a minimum.
“But it was my first goal in the Premier League for the first team, so I was delighted.
“Scoring in the Premier League was the best feeling – I have never experienced anything like it in my life – but I take every step as it comes.
“I am just delighted to be in the fold at the moment.”
Manager Gareth Southgate is hoping his injury problems will have eased by the time a resurgent Chelsea head for the Riverside Stadium on October 20, and that would see Hutchinson, like 20-year-old Tom Craddock – who started at City - return to the ranks.
However, his senior bow has left him hungry for more, and he is intent on learning all he can from Southgate and reserve-team boss Steve Agnew to work his way closer to the first-team picture.
Nottinghamshire-born Hutchison, who qualifies for Jamaica as well as England, told the club’s official website, www.mfc.co.uk: “They are both great people and they have played the game, so they know what they are talking about.
“I just keep trying to learn from them. I want to try to kick on as far as I can get and keep knocking on the door for the gaffer to pick me.
“But, first and foremost, I want to discover myself in the reserves. I’m doing well at the minute and whatever else comes is a bonus.”
