Wigan Athletic starlet wants more!

Harry McHugh admits he's desperate for more after enjoying his first taste of first-team football.
Harry McHugh celebrates his maiden goal at TranmereHarry McHugh celebrates his maiden goal at Tranmere
Harry McHugh celebrates his maiden goal at Tranmere

The 18-year-old marked his first senior start with a glorious goal in the midweek Papa John's Trophy draw at Tranmere.

And although Latics bowed out of the competition after losing the penalty shoot-out 3-1, the performance of McHugh was a major positive moving forwards.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I'm still adapting to senior football," he said. "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 were only two or three of the lads from Wednesday night's team I hadn't played with before.

"But I'm quite familiar with how all of the other lads play, so that really helped."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After making his senior bow off the bench at the weekend against Chorley, McHugh fully deserved his promotion to the starting XI at Prenton Park.

"I was delighted to be given the start first of all," he said.

"I'd like to thank my mum and dad for the support they've given me, but I'd also like to thank (Academy coaches) 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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"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 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."

McHugh will also remember for the rest of his life his first goal in professional football - a magnificent 25-yard strike that flew into the roof of the net.

"It was a great moment for me," he added. "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."

Related topics: