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Having marked his senior debut with the winning goal in Wanderers’ 1-0 FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic on Saturday, Zach Clough admitted his delight at a dream start to his Bolton career.
The academy graduate came into the starting line-up against the Latics in the Whites’ third round tie at Macron Stadium and proceeded to put in a sterling performance on his first team bow, capping off his exploits with the decisive strike 14 minutes from time.
Speaking exclusively to bwfc.co.uk following the final whistle at BL6, the 19-year-old revealed his joy at marking his debut in the fashion that he did.
“I couldn’t have imagined it going as well as it did – it’s been a long time coming for me,” said the striker. “I’m really pleased that the gaffer has given me a chance – he’s put his faith in me and I’ve shown him what I can do.
“The crowd were fantastic with me too - I never imagined I would get the reception that I did, but it’s something that they always do, get behind the young players and give them a boost when they need it.
“We’ve got a really good set of fans here, and I’m sure that the club as a whole are happy because there’s a few of us breaking throughout into the first team who have come up through the ranks.”
Having figured prominently for the club’s Under-21 and Development Squad in recent years since progressing up through the ranks at Wanderers’ Lostock academy, Clough confessed that his debut performance is yet to sink in.
“I can’t really describe the game at all," he said. "It’s a bit of a blur to be honest!
“I didn’t even know I was playing in the morning and I thought I’d probably be on the bench, but the manager told me that I was starting and I was over the moon.”
He continued: “Every single one of the players has been fantastic with me, coming up to me and offering me advice, telling me when I’ve done something good and just generally helping me.
“The fact that I’m able to play along such experienced players alongside the likes of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Emile Heskey, it’s fantastic and I’m learning so much.
“Hopefully this will be the start of something for me – with any luck, I’ll be involved in the next round of the cup and hopefully my league debut will follow.
“Of course, I’m going to be coming up against players who are more experienced than me, but I just love getting out there and hopefully I can help make a difference on the pitch.”
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The academy graduate came into the starting line-up against the Latics in the Whites’ third round tie at Macron Stadium and proceeded to put in a sterling performance on his first team bow, capping off his exploits with the decisive strike 14 minutes from time.
Speaking exclusively to bwfc.co.uk following the final whistle at BL6, the 19-year-old revealed his joy at marking his debut in the fashion that he did.
“I couldn’t have imagined it going as well as it did – it’s been a long time coming for me,” said the striker. “I’m really pleased that the gaffer has given me a chance – he’s put his faith in me and I’ve shown him what I can do.
“The crowd were fantastic with me too - I never imagined I would get the reception that I did, but it’s something that they always do, get behind the young players and give them a boost when they need it.
“We’ve got a really good set of fans here, and I’m sure that the club as a whole are happy because there’s a few of us breaking throughout into the first team who have come up through the ranks.”
Having figured prominently for the club’s Under-21 and Development Squad in recent years since progressing up through the ranks at Wanderers’ Lostock academy, Clough confessed that his debut performance is yet to sink in.
“I can’t really describe the game at all," he said. "It’s a bit of a blur to be honest!
“I didn’t even know I was playing in the morning and I thought I’d probably be on the bench, but the manager told me that I was starting and I was over the moon.”
He continued: “Every single one of the players has been fantastic with me, coming up to me and offering me advice, telling me when I’ve done something good and just generally helping me.
“The fact that I’m able to play along such experienced players alongside the likes of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Emile Heskey, it’s fantastic and I’m learning so much.
“Hopefully this will be the start of something for me – with any luck, I’ll be involved in the next round of the cup and hopefully my league debut will follow.
“Of course, I’m going to be coming up against players who are more experienced than me, but I just love getting out there and hopefully I can help make a difference on the pitch.”
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