Sam McQueen hungry for more after making Southampton home debut

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Saints’ manager Claudio Puel handed the youngster his Premier League debut just 14 minutes into Sunday’s 3-1 win against Burnley.

The latest graduate of Southampton’s famous academy Sam McQueen has told the Southern Daily Echo that he is hungry for more opportunities after making his full Premier League debut during The Saints’ 3-1 triumph over Burnley.

McQueen was introduced to the action after just 14 minutes against The Clarets following Matt Targett’s early injury, and the plucky 21-year-old slotted in to the left-back slot seamlessly; delivering an accomplished display that defied his tender years as Southampton cruised to a comfortable victory.

The versatile McQueen spent the second half of last season on loan with League One outfit Southend United, where he starred in a more advanced role as a left forward for Phil Brown’s side, providing two goals and two assists in 18 appearances.

However, after returning to his parent club in the the summer and working tirelessly to push himself into first-team contention over the opening months of the season, McQueen is now eager to kick on and establish himself as a regular starter for Claudio Puel’s side.

Following his dream home debut, the talented young Englishman told the Southern Daily Echo:

“It’s been years and years of hard work,

“It’s my movie moment to come on at St Mary’s and make my debut.

“The thing is, it’s over so quickly and by tomorrow I’ll want to play again.

“I just want to get onto the next game and before I know it hopefully I’ll be playing regularly or far into my career.”

With fellow full-backs Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett both nursing injury blows heading into a hectic fixture schedule, McQueen now has a real chance to get more minutes under his belt and stake a claim for a regular spot in Puel’s side.

Next up for Southampton is a trip to the San Siro for a mammoth Europa League tie with Inter Milan on Thursday night, and with McQueen in line to start against the Italian giants, the youngster’s dream week shows no signs of slowing down.