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Toon Teen Toney's Debut Delight
Written by Newcastle Utd
Ivan Toney spoke to nufc.co.uk after making his Newcastle United debut against his former club Northampton on Tuesday night
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Ivan Toney has admitted that making his Newcastle debut against his former club on Tuesday night was an "amazing" feeling.
The 19-year-old striker joined the Magpies from Northampton Town earlier this month and has already impressed for Peter Beardsley's under-21 side.
And, with Papiss Cisse suffering from sickness on the eve of the game, Toney was rewarded with a 78th minute substitute appearance against the Cobblers as Steve McClaren's men won 4-1 at St. James' Park in the second round of the Capital One Cup.
In November 2012, the Northampton-born frontman became Town's youngest ever player when, aged 16, he made his bow against Bradford in the FA Cup, and he scored ten goals for them in the League Two last term.
"It was amazing, really, making my debut against the team that made me," he told nufc.co.uk.
"To be honest, I didn't think I was going to get on because there were a few other players in front of me, but I'm happy that the manager gave me my chance and I thought I did well.
"We were 4-1 up when I came on so (McClaren) just said 'keep it nice and tight and do what you can do.'
"Sometimes you've just got to keep the ball if you're winning, rather than go forward.
"Even though I wanted to score as much as ever, the chance wasn't really there so you can't force it."
The 989 travelling Cobblers supporters serenaded their former player with chants of 'he's one of our own' and 'Toney, Toney give us a wave' before he came on, while the home fans were equally vocal in their encouragement when the youngster came on for Massadio Haidara.
"It was great; both sets of fans applauded me when I warmed up and when I came on and off the pitch," Toney smiled.
"It was just great support, and we managed to get the victory. Four-one was a good achievement.
"We went about it in the appropriate manner and it was all good."
Although Toney is a laid back character, he revealed that he struggled to sleep after the match - partly due to the excitement but also because of the constant text messages from friends and ex-colleagues.
"Obviously there are going to be messages, playing against your old team," he said.
"Adrenaline? Yeah, I guess it was there but I got some sleep and I replied to as many people as I could this morning."
While Toney's first Newcastle appearance perhaps came quicker than even he anticipated, Newcastle's number 36 knows that he will have to be patient as he awaits the next one.
But he said: "I'm even hungrier.
"Now I've had a taste, I want more and more. I'm sure the manager will bring me back in when he thinks I'm ready again."