Harry McHugh's reaction after scoring his first senior goal on his full debut.
The 18-year-old's blockbuster strike came in Latics' 2-2 draw with Tranmere Rovers.
Latics exited the Papa John's Trophy on penalties, but the game gave McHugh a moment to savour.

Speaking after Latics' 2-2 draw and subsequent 3-1 penalty shootout to Tranmere Rovers in the Papa John's Trophy, 18-year-old midfielder Harry McHugh can be forgiven for smiling ear-to-ear, as he told wiganathletic.com about his sensational goal in first half stoppage time on what was his first senior start for Wigan Athletic.

"I was delighted to be given the start first of all," McHugh began before giving his thanks to his family and staff from the Academy.

"I'd like to thank my Mum and Dad for the support they've given me, but I'd also like to thank Gregor Rioch and Peter Murphy who have guided me to this opportunity.

"I need to thank the physios in the Academy as well, I owe a lot to them. They have helped me to come back from a serious long-term injury and without them I wouldn't be at this point in my career.

"It's been a long way back for me. I had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury and it kept me out through my entire first year as an apprentice, so to now be involved with the first team, it's been a big journey for me."

On the goal itself, Harry continued:

"It's a great moment for me. It came to me in a good position and I had time to touch it out of my feet, from that moment all I thought about was hitting it as hard as I could.

"It would have been a lot better if we had fans at the game because I'd love to have celebrated the goal with them, but sadly we can't see them at the moment."

McHugh made his first team debut as a substitute in Sunday's FA Cup clash with Chorley, but has been in and around the first team squad for the last few weeks. On his change of environment, he said:

"I'm still adapting to senior football. The tempo is a lot quicker in training and the matches I've been involved in have been tough, but I'm learning as I play and that can only be a positive.

"There are only two or three of the lads from tonight's team that I haven't played with before, but I'm quite familiar with how all of the other lads play, so that really helped."

Harry McHugh | "I'd love to have celebrated that goal with the fans."