Dennis Cirkin opens up his senior promotion and what he has to learn ahead

Tottenham defender Dennis Cirkin has revealed his delight at getting an opportunity to feature for the first-team during pre-season this year.

The academy graduate trained with the senior squad last season and even made the bench on a few occasions but it was during Tottenham’s first pre-season friendly against Ipswich Town last Saturday that he made his debut for the side.

The defender came on as a second-half substitute in both of Tottenham’s first two pre-season games against Ipswich and Reading and certainly did not look out of place.

The 18-year-old admitted that turning out for the first-team was a reward for the hard work he has put in over the years.

Speaking about making his first-team debut against the Tractor Boys, he told the club’s official website: “It was a dream come true, really. I’ve been at the Club for eight years now, and this is what I’ve been working for, to get a chance and hopefully take it as well.

When asked how he felt when Jose Mourinho called him over for his first appearance, he said: “It’s hard to describe. It was an amazing feeling. I was a little nervous but once you get out onto the pitch you forget about all that and just focus on your game.

“Credit to all the coaches in the Academy who have helped me to get to this stage. They’ve prepared me and I feel I’m ready. Hopefully, I can kick on.”

The youngster also hailed his teammates for helping him on and off the pitch and vowed to keep working hard on improving his game.

Cirkin added: “I’ve learned a lot, they are all really good guys and I’ve been welcomed in, but the biggest thing I’ve learned is that this is a whole new level of professionalism in all aspects, on the pitch, off the pitch, and that’s something I need to learn as well.

“I look up to all the guys who have come through the academy, especially Skippy, he’s been here for a long time as well, Japhet as well, he’s pushed on really well.

“They are all top professionals. It is possible, it’s just about getting a chance. Now, it’s about keeping going.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Cirkin is still very young for a defender and has to mature considerably before he is ready for the Premier League. However, there are clearly shades of Vertonghen, both in terms of how he defends as well as in terms of how he glides forward with the ball. He also seems pretty adept at making half a yard for himself and playing sharp passes into the midfield area or to the wide man on the touchline.

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