TEENAGE defender Jay McEveley said he was thrilled to have made a surprise Rovers debut in last night's Worthington triumph over Walsall.

The 17-year-old centre-back became the latest product of the Academy to get called into the first team squad on Tuesday morning.

But never in his wildest dreams did he expect to get thrust into the action after just 30 minutes when an injury to Sebastian Pelzer meant he got called from the bench.

"I didn't expect it to work out like that but Sebastian got injured and I got my chance," said McEveley.

"I first found out on Tuesday that I was in the squad but all the lads had been talking about it in the Academy on Sunday night saying I might have a chance.

"I tried not to take any notice of it, really, but then I went down on Tuesday morning and got told to bring my suit yesterday and that's when I found out I was going to be a sub and I was made up."

McEveley ended up playing virtually a full 90 minutes after the third round tie went to extra time and penalties.

And he later declared himself satisfied with his performance even though he was partly at fault for Walsall's opening goal.

"I was nervous to start off with but once I got into it I was fine. I made a couple of mistakes but you do that, don't you, and I think I got over them.

"So I thought I did alright.

"My aim now has to become a regular with the reserves over the rest of the season. At the moment, I'm mainly on the bench with them and getting little bits of games here and there.

"But, if I do well, then maybe I might be able to get into the first squad for a couple of games.

"Normally speaking, I'm a centre half but the manager feels I can play at left-back and Rob Kelly, my coach with the Under 19s, has said the same."

Rovers boss Graeme Souness was also fullsome in his praise of the youngster who was thrust into the action in a pressure situation.

"He might have the body of a man but he's still a wee baby," said Souness.

"He started well, he gave the ball away a wee bit too much for his liking, but we feel he's got a real chance of being a player.

"He stuck to his task, he didn't hide, he kept going. He was caught in possession for their second goal, I think, but he never hid."

McEveley, meanwhile, was spared the pressure of taking a penalty after Marc Richards prevented the shoot-out from going to sudden death.

"I was down as number seven but, thankfully, it didn't come to that. I don't think it would have fazed me, though," added the youngster.

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