McQueen nervous about starring role
SOUTHAMPTON defender Sam McQueen admits he is still coming to terms with a whirlwind start to his senior professional career. The 21-year-old was handed a daunting full debut against Inter Milan at San Siro on Thursday and is set for a second start at the Etihad when Southampton face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City tomorrow. Injuries have opened up a place in the side for left back McQueen — Matt Targett and Ryan Bertrand have hamstring problems — and speaking after he put in an impressive performance against the Serie A giants, he admitted still feeling nerves that are ‘only natural’. ‘Everything has snowballed a bit and long may it continue,’ he said. ‘I am wishing Matty gets back and gets fit and Berty as well but I have to take the chances when I am here. It is down to myself and I have to try and do what I have to do to give myself the best opportunity to get that chance again.’ McQueen was not even a left back until Claude Puel took over at Southampton last summer and, after observing the player in his first training session, told him his future lay not on the left wing but further back. Puel instructed his group to play an 11 v 11 pre-season match at their Staplewood centre and McQueen filled in at full back for one of the teams. He said: ‘I am going to do what the manager tells me and it has worked out.’