Townsend, from Chingford, east London, joined Spurs aged nine and earned praise as he climbed the ranks before loan spells at the likes of Watford, Leyton Orient and Millwall.
The 20-year-old scored on his full Spurs debut against Charlton in the FA Cup last season and has figured in all three of club's Europa League games so far this season.
The left-sided winger, who also plays full-back, has his sights set on becoming the first academy product since Ledley King to break in to the Spurs first team on a regular basis and thinks the Europa League is the perfect platform to help him do so.
"It's a massive night and will be a special occasion against Shamrock," Townsend said.
"I believe I have the ability to break in to the first team. This is the perfect chance for me to show the manager what I can do and show him that I can play a part in the future of this club.
"The manager watching us in training and in the reserves is one thing, but playing in the Europa League against teams like Shamrock and PAOK Salonika in front of massive and hostile crowds is different."
After being loaned out six times in his career, Townsend admits his progression at Tottenham has been steady rather than spectacular, but the youngster gained motivation from manager Harry Redknapp's decision to keep him at White Hart Lane this year.
"It's more of a gradual process. Nowadays you have to go out on loan," Townsend said.
"Staying here and not being loaned out gave me the impression that the manager wanted to involve me more and more this summer.
"I had been out on loan for the previous three seasons and it is good to be in and around the first team now."
Townsend is one of a crop of youngsters Redknapp has blooded in the competition this year.
Central midfielders Jake Livermore and Tom Carroll have impressed and so has Harry Kane despite the striker missing a penalty against Hearts at White Hart Lane last month.
Townsend is in no doubt about how difficult a task he faces, but looks to Spurs club captain King as a source of inspiration.
"This is my biggest season yet," Townsend said. "This is my first real chance to show the manager in actual first-team games what I'm capable of.
"When you see players like Ledley, and more recently Jamie O'Hara come through, it does give you hope really.
"They have given us hope that we can all break through into the first team."
Source: Team Talk
Source: Team Talk