Micah Hamilton said he is keen to ‘kick on’ after marking his senior debut for Manchester City with a goal in the club’s 3-2 win at Red Star Belgrade.
City became just the second Premier League team to win all six Champions League group games after an entertaining win over the Serbian side.
Pep Guardiola rotated his side for the dead-rubber and handed a senior debut to Hamilton, who marked the occasion with the opening goal. The 20-year-old – who has been with City’s academy system since the age of nine – fired inside the near post to hand the holders a first-half lead.
Oscar Bobb then doubled the visitor’s lead with his first goal for City, on a memorable night for the club’s academy. Red Star pulled one back through Hwang In-beom, but Kalvin Phillips’ penalty restored City’s two-goal cushion, after Hamilton had been brought down inside the area. Aleksandar Katai’s late goal was consolation for Red Star on the night.
Speaking to TNT Sports at full-time, Hamilton reflected on the ‘surreal’ moment of scoring a debut goal in the Champions League.
“I don’t even know how to put it into words to be honest – it’s all surreal. The game obviously; the goal, everyone has seen that, I didn’t even know what to do.
“He [Guardiola] put me on the right wing, something different for me. I’d not really played there. I saw it as a challenge and I took it and I enjoyed every moment.
“I played with Oscar [Bobb] last season in the U21s, a top player, I grew up with Rico [Lewis] from when I was literally this small. Susoho as well that made his debut is playing in the 21s now.
“The manager has given us the opportunity in training and in the game today. Playing with the best players you always improve.
“It’s definitely just the start… and to kick on from here. It’s not bad. It’s all surreal, it’s not sunk in yet. Everyone at home will be watching it.”
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