Youngster Michail Antonio is absolutely delighted to be part of Brendan Rodgers' first team plans.
The 19-year-old winger made his first appearance for the club as a substitute in last week's Carling Cup game with Barnsley, then followed it up with his first League outing on Saturday, again coming off the bench against the Tykes.
His direct style caught the eye on both occasions, and the amiable youngster was absolutely beaming with delight after Saturday's game, clutching his shirt as a souvenir.
He said, "I've been here for nine months now and it's great to get my chance to be in the team. Hopefully I can stay in now and keep performing because it's great fun and it's my dream. Nine months ago I was playing non-league football and now I'm playing in the Championship, so I'm happy no matter what happens!
"I was at Tooting & Mitcham from age twelve and I was only in their youth team the season before last. I had to trial for the youth team there and I just about got in - I almost missed out on it - and then I went on to play seven games for the first team before signing for Reading. I was lucky, it was just good fortune.
"When I was still at Tooting & Mitcham at age 18, I was beginning to think I was getting too old and I was not going to make it, but look where I am now!
"I was doing a BTEC in Sport and another in Business. I completed the business one and I was halfway through my BTEC in Sport when I joined here, but my school's going to start sending stuff to me again and I'm going to finish it.
"I'm doing it because I want to and it's a qualification to go with my couple of A-Levels. Football is not forever - you're lucky to spend 20 years in it - so I'm going to want something there so that when I finish my football career, I can do something else."
Another aspect of Michail's play that caught the eye was his prodigous long throw, a most unexpected weapon. When asked if he could rival Rory Delap he said, "I don't know about that! It's a skill I've had throughout my career and I don't know when I came to be able to do it or how I do it, I just throw it and it seems to go. I'm just lucky I guess!
"Getting our first win will have an effect and it will help us for the next game as well. We're looking forward now to coming back chirpy and confident for the match against Doncaster and hopefully there will be another win on the cards for us.
"Everyone's buzzing and having fun - the jokes are back. It's much better than it has been when we weren't winning, with people getting upset. It's a long trip home but it will be a good one after that result."
Finally, on Friday evening Michail was put through the footballing ritual of singing a song in front of the entire group to mark his first away trip with the club. He said, "I sang Bob Marley, One Love...it went down alright, I mean not too well; I didn't forget any words though. I like Bob Marley - my mum and dad used to listen to him a lot as they're from Jamaica. They've been over here for quite a while now but it's all still there in my blood!"
Teammate Noel Hunt added his verdict on the singing, saying, "He only knew about six words, he sang the chorus and that was it! He doesn't really sound like Bob Marley and I think he was making up his own words!
"Seriously, I thought when he came off the bench he was fantastic. He's worked very hard the last four or five weeks and with the work he's putting in and his enthusiasm, he's going to be a very big player for us I think.
"He's got a lot ahead of him, he's got a lot to learn but he's so keen in training - he's so enthusiastic - he's got qualities that are assets to the team and I'm just delighted for him.
"When the gaffer first came, he was training with the younger boys and he's worked himself hard and he's got involved in the first team, so I'm delighted for him."
