Tottenham Hotspur had a new face - a debutant in the name of Japhet Tanganga - on the field in their 1-0 defeat to high-flying Liverpool on Saturday.
Tanganga, a full-back, was dealt with the incredibly difficult job of keeping CAF Player of the Year Sadio Mané at bay on his long-awaited debut, and boy oh boy did he make his mark.
"I really thought we could have nicked something at the end. Maybe a draw. Maybe even a win."
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 11, 2020
Japhet Tanganga on his 'bittersweet' debut.#THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/1BjGcYUECa
The 20-year-old defender, speaking to Spurs TV, explained after the match what making his Premier League debut in such a bit match meant to him.
"Again, it would have been much better if we’d won the game, a much better feeling. I’m happy to make my debut but the feeling is still disappointing.
The Spurs man, who has represented England at youth level, revealed how his week had developed in order for his big moment to arrive.
“The gaffer mentioned it on Tuesday and asked me, ‘do you want to play?’, I said ‘yes’ and he said ‘you won’t be scared?’, I said ‘no, I won’t be scared’ so we did shape two or three days leading up to the game and I thought ‘yep, I’m in the team’.
“From there, the boys have been excellent, cheering me on, encouraging me, letting me know it’s just another game, as much as it’s my debut, as much as I’m playing against one of the best teams around right now, it doesn’t matter. I come up against Sonny in training, Harry Kane, all the top guys here, so it’s like training, keep going, keep my head up and they were great.”
Tanganga will hope to keep his place as Tottenham face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday evening.
Source : 90min