CRYSTAL Palace youngster Hiram Boateng couldn't believe it when Micah Richards and Maicon were named in the Manchester City line-up in Palace's recent U21 development match.
Even though the 17-year-old came off the substitutes' bench after both Premier League stars had left the action on the hour mark, it proves the new league system is great for players looking to test themselves ahead of first-team selection.
And in tomorrow's Croydon Advertiser, there is a full-page interview with the Academy star, who made his debut in the FA Cup under Ian Holloway against Stoke City in January.
"A few people said before the game they were playing but I wasn't sure until manager Gary Issott told us," Boateng told Advertiser Sport.
"We weren't sure whether they were just going to stroll up or take it seriously, but they were 100 per cent professional.
"They went straight the tunnel before I came on in the last ten minutes so I didn't even get to shake their hand or anything.
"Dedryck Boyata was still on the pitch though, so playing against players like that is great and it helps us to develop.
"We can see how those sorts of players do on the pitch and we can learn from that."
Some of the other development squad players have made their way out on loan, such as Bayan Fenwick and Alex Wynter, but Boateng says he wants to develop at the right pace.
"Palace haven't said anything to me about going out on loan, but I think it's about me developing more with the U18 and U21 teams," he said.
"I just need to become stronger, quicker and just an all-round better player before I think I'm ready for that.
"The manager says I'm a good player but I need to talk to players around me.
"Players will also respect me if I do that and it will help me on my way up to keep improving and working on my weaknesses."
Do not miss the big interview with Boateng only in tomorrow's Croydon Advertiser, where he talks about his first-team debut, his plans for Palace, who gives him advice from the first-team and which club he was brought up supporting as a child.
The contents of this article must not be reproduced without the permission of the Croydon Advertiser.
Follow me on Twitter for the latest Palace news, exclusives and live match updates at www.twitter.com/AdvertiserSport
Palace fans on Facebook, have your say on our page at www.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport
Watch our exclusive away videos following Palace around the country on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport
Even though the 17-year-old came off the substitutes' bench after both Premier League stars had left the action on the hour mark, it proves the new league system is great for players looking to test themselves ahead of first-team selection.
And in tomorrow's Croydon Advertiser, there is a full-page interview with the Academy star, who made his debut in the FA Cup under Ian Holloway against Stoke City in January.
"A few people said before the game they were playing but I wasn't sure until manager Gary Issott told us," Boateng told Advertiser Sport.
"We weren't sure whether they were just going to stroll up or take it seriously, but they were 100 per cent professional.
"They went straight the tunnel before I came on in the last ten minutes so I didn't even get to shake their hand or anything.
"Dedryck Boyata was still on the pitch though, so playing against players like that is great and it helps us to develop.
"We can see how those sorts of players do on the pitch and we can learn from that."
Some of the other development squad players have made their way out on loan, such as Bayan Fenwick and Alex Wynter, but Boateng says he wants to develop at the right pace.
"Palace haven't said anything to me about going out on loan, but I think it's about me developing more with the U18 and U21 teams," he said.
"I just need to become stronger, quicker and just an all-round better player before I think I'm ready for that.
"The manager says I'm a good player but I need to talk to players around me.
"Players will also respect me if I do that and it will help me on my way up to keep improving and working on my weaknesses."
Do not miss the big interview with Boateng only in tomorrow's Croydon Advertiser, where he talks about his first-team debut, his plans for Palace, who gives him advice from the first-team and which club he was brought up supporting as a child.
The contents of this article must not be reproduced without the permission of the Croydon Advertiser.
Follow me on Twitter for the latest Palace news, exclusives and live match updates at www.twitter.com/AdvertiserSport
Palace fans on Facebook, have your say on our page at www.facebook.com/AdvertiserSport
Watch our exclusive away videos following Palace around the country on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AdvertiserSport
