Wembley is motivation for Tigers, says Jones
CALLUM Jones is not taking the Papa John’s trophy lightly.
Derided by many, the young Welshman believes the competition presents Hull City with a fantastic chance of giving the club a day out at Wembley in March.
The City youngster captained the side to a 2-0 victory at Harrogate Town on Tuesday, scoring his first senior goal for the Tigers, adding to James Scott’s goal 10 minutes earlier which put Grant Mccann’s men on their way to three Group H points.
While some criticise the competition, boss Mccann and City are taking it seriously and will progress into the last 32 on Tuesday night, if they see off Grimsby Town at the KCOM Stadium.
“As a young lad, that’s something you dream of isn’t it,” Jones told BBC Humberside when asked about the prospect of playing under the arch.
“Playing at England’s stadium, no matter what the competition, is what’s at stake, it’s fire in the belly and that’s the motivation, to try and get there by doing the best we can in the competition.”
Jones has been hugely impressive so far this season, enjoying plenty of first team experience off the bench, with his start at Wetherby Road coming on the back of a first senior City start at West Ham in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, and he says that exposure has surpassed his expectations.
“More, definitely,” the 19-yearold said. “Coming into pre-season, I thought I’d hopefully be in and around but the gaffer has put his trust in me in the games I’ve played and I’m doing everything I can for him to keep trusting me.
“We’ll have to see where that takes me towards the end of the season.”
Like other promising youngsters in the City set-up, Jones faces no shortage of competition either in defence where he was deployed on Tuesday, or in the centre of the park, and he acknowledges what faces.
“The team are doing very well and I’m learning every day from all types of players, whether it’s centre midfield or right-back, in both areas we’re very strong. To break in is very tough.”
Having been skippering the Under23 side recently, Jones admits that he was left a little surprised at being handed the armband just hours before the game at Harrogate.
“Before the pre-match meal, he just said it when he was naming the team and obviously I was delighted,” Jones said, in revealing when Mccann gave him the honour.
“I enjoyed the challenge the gaffer gave me, I played right-back for the Under-23s last week and I feel, being a midfielder, on the ball, playing out there, you get more time and I feel like I can play through the lines and have more options.
“It’s a proud moment, the gaffer has trusted me which I’m appreciative of and hopefully I did him and the club proud.” a challenge he