On Tuesday night, we spoke to Sam Hetherington after making his first team debut.
Speaking to CUTV, he said: "It was really good. I had no clue I was going to be playing. When I found out today, I was just over the moon.
“It's what you work for, isn't it? Since I've been in the academy, it's all I've wanted to happen.
“I found out in the changing room today at about 5.15 before the game, so maybe I was a little bit nervous when I found out, but as soon as the game started, the nerves kind of settled down and I just tried to build myself into the game.
“I had a quick chance to tell my family because they were just going to get the tickets and they were really happy for me and really proud. I told a few of my friends as well.”
Throughout pre-season, the 18-year-old midfielder was involved with the senior squad on a regular basis, even travelling to the Blues' week-long training camp in St Andrews.
“It's been really good. I've really enjoyed it.
"I played the first few games and then went up to St Andrews and then I've just been training with the first team.
"I got my first game with the youth team last week, which I really enjoyed and to get 75 minutes or however long I got today, it was just really good.
“Today, I had Dyl [Dylan McGeouch] and Nealy [Harrison Neal] in the midfield with me. They were talking to me, helping me through the game, making sure I knew how I was meant to be and it just really helps."
Aside from being involved in pre-season, Sam also travelled to Gillingham and MK Dons with the squad.
“It was really good. I wasn't expecting it at all when I first came in for pre-season.
“I thought I'd maybe get a few minutes here and there but to be involved, I think I was involved the first three games, on the bench once, it was just really good and a proud moment for me.”
Despite the result, the Blues dominated and showed a lot of good signs, especially in attack. Sam gave his view, saying: "I thought it was really good tonight. I know the result was not what we wanted but I thought we played good football. It felt a bit more lively maybe in the dressing room and before the game.
“I just thought the lads, every one of them, did really well. Freddie [O'Donoghue] in the youth team, I thought he came on and looked really sharp. Azza [Aran Fitzpatrick] and Jake [Allan], Jake getting his goal, I thought he took that really well. He'll be happy with that. Yeah, it was good.
"I thought we maybe would have scored more on another day but it just seemed like it was never going to fall for us. We made loads of opportunities and the second-half, I thought the game was 90% in their half. I thought we'd just done really well and it was just a shame that we couldn't finish it off.”
Speaking on playing alongside fellow youth team players for the first team, he stated: "I've been in the academy with them for who knows how many years. For all of us to come on tonight, it was really good.”
Jake Allan netted our only goal of the game, showing composure beyond his years as he stepped inside and slotted the ball home.
"Great feet, great finish. I couldn't believe it. It was great. Honestly, I couldn't say anything else. It was just a really good goal.”
Steven Rudd, Mark Birch and Jamie Devitt were in the dugout for the first time - a pleasing sight for the youngsters involved as it provided a familiar face on the touchline.
“Obviously I've been with them for two years now. This will be my third year and they've always helped me.
"Today, they talked to me and obviously I was a bit nervous, so settling my nerves down and just helped me build myself into the game and talked me through it. It was really good.”
Finally, speaking on his personal goals this term, Hetherington said: “Well, the main goal is getting another contract at the end of the season for me. I just want to play football.”
