Mikey Moore said it “meant everything” to score his first senior goal for us this week.
The attacking midfielder, still just 16 years of age, came up with a trademark run and low finish in the box to give us a 3-1 lead on the way to an overall 5-1 win against Hearts at Tynecastle Park in our first pre-season outing of the summer on Wednesday night.
It was a goal we’ve seen many times before during his time in the Academy, but the youngster said this one was extra-special as it represented his first one at first team level.
“To score my first goal, even though it was in a pre-season game, was probably the best feeling I’ve had so far, and to score in front of the fans as well... it was unreal!” beamed Mikey, who featured as a second-half substitute in our final two Premier League games of last season against Emirates Marketing Project and Sheffield United.
“The little dribble and finish... it’s what I’ve been doing in the Academy so I just wanted to keep doing what I’ve been doing. Even though it was a pre-season game, it meant everything to me.”
In the wake of his goal, a rendition of “Mikey Moore, he’s one of our own” could be heard emanating from the away end – something that wasn’t lost on the youngster.
“That was just incredible!” he said. “You don’t expect it, especially when you’re just coming into the team, but I really appreciate all the fans doing it, so I want to say thanks to them really.”
With pre-season now in full swing, Mikey underlined how he’s learning all the time under Ange Postecoglou.
“It’s been different coming into a first team environment, but it’s been really good,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot over the time I’ve had so far and hopefully I can just keep going.
“It’s been tough in the last couple of weeks – pre-season is always tough – but it’s been a good experience getting settled in and I’m just excited for what’s to come.”
