Academy graduate Will Hughes says he is proud to net his first ever professional goal, after the midfielder found the net in the side’s 5-1 demolition of Watford on Saturday.
Hughes, 17, has featured in every game for the side so far this season, after making his full home debut on the final day of the 2011/12 campaign – a 1-1 draw with Peterborough United.
And in his first ever post-match interview with Rams Player, the England under-17 international admitted he was delighted to score his landmark goal.
He told Rams Player: “We weren’t feeling any pressure, but it is a bit of a relief to get our first win of the season. I think our recent performances against the likes of Bolton and Wolves deserved more, but to get three points on the board is a great feeling.
“It was lucky to go in; it took about an hour to hit the back of the net! But it was a great feeling to get my first goal for the club and a moment I will never forget.
“It was more a sense of relief when the ball rolled over the line because it seemed to take an age, but I am really proud to get my first goal.”
Despite an exciting start to the campaign for the 17-year-old, Hughes says he needs to keep a cool head, and admitted he was not the type of player that will get carried away by his early success.
He added: “I am thoroughly enjoying it, to get a chance to play professional football at the age of 17 is amazing. You have got to enjoy it haven’t you? I am 17-years-old playing Championship football and it is brilliant just to be involved.
“However, I have just got to take each step as it comes and keep my feet firmly on the ground. Some players at this age would let playing first-team football affect them – they would have their head in the sky as thinking they have made it already.
“There are positives and negatives with the international break coming at this time. Obviously we would all love to keep going after beating a team 5-1 – we want a game the following day. But I think the lads need a rest, two-weeks should do the trick then we go again at Huddersfield Town."
Watch the full post-match interview with Will Hughes exclusively on Rams Player.