Newcastle United midfielder Travis Hernes has reflected on a crazy few weeks that have seen him step-up into Eddie Howe’s first team.
The 18-year-old joined Newcastle from Shrewsbury Town in the summer and has since impressed for the club’s under-18s and UEFA Youth League side. As a result, he has been called-up to train with Newcastle’s first-team in recent weeks.
Hernes even made the bench for Newcastle’s 2-0 FA Cup win at Fulham and 3-1 Premier League victory at Aston Villa last month. While he didn’t get on the pitch on either match, it’s an experience the Norweigan youngster has valued.
“It’s crazy,” he told TV2. “You hear nothing, and you can’t do anything but look around and try to take it in. It’s like what you dream about when you’re little.
“When I was called up for first-team training, it was crazy to think that I’ve played with all these guys here on FIFA and they just have no idea who I am.
“There are players you see on TV and think ‘Wow, they are good’. So, when you sit on the bench, all you want is to just experience what it’s like to be on the pitch in a Premier League match. It doesn’t feel real when you’re in the dressing room with Champions League footballers, sort of. But you just have to get used to it.
