Sunday 8 May 2016 15:19, UK
Kelechi Iheanacho has been unfazed by his breakthrough season at Manchester City and says his best is yet to come.
Nigeria international Iheanacho has achieved a task many doubted was possible; rising through the academy ranks before breaking into City's star-studded first team.
His two-goal cameo in Sunday's defeat at Southampton took his goals tally to 13 in 33 appearances, a record only surpassed by Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne.
And, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News HQ, the 19-year-old reflected on his transition into Manuel Pellegrini's squad and insisted he would continue his progression at the Etihad Stadium.
"My record isn't bad, this season has been great for me and for the team as well," he said. "I've been getting goals in the team and helping them.
"It's not bad this season but I've got to keep working hard. This is not going to be the best season ever, I'm just starting and there will more good to come, I'll just keep working hard and working on everything in training and in games and I'll get there.
"I was hoping to play a first-team game and be among them one day, I had ideas about that so I was hoping I would join them some day. It was a surprise for me when they said I was part of the team so I was happy and I'm pleased to join them.
"Now I'm convinced I'm part of the squad but it will not get into my head, I will just keep working hard and keep believing in myself. I will help the team anyway I can this season."
Iheanacho was unable to transfer his goalscoring form from St Mary's to the European stage as City were dumped out of the Champions League to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
City mustered just a single shot on target throughout the duration of the second leg as their European campaign ended with a whimper.
However, the trip to Madrid will live long in the memory Iheanacho, who relished the opportunity to play on one of world football's biggest stages despite losing.
"What happened was just football. It's what can happen to any team - any team can lose and any team can win," the City striker added.
"We did very well in the first game at home and we played really well away but they won by just one goal. We defended really well, made it difficult for them but they deserved to win.
This is not going to be the best season ever, I’m just starting and there will more good to come.
"Everybody knew that if we had one goal we would be through. We were just looking for that one goal but we couldn't get any space, it was difficult for us.
"If we would have got the one goal I wouldn't be saying this now. It's gone now, they're through and we have to focus on the next games.
"It was a great experience for me, I'm happy to have played there. It was a dream come true. We shouldn't have come away like [that] but that's football, we will put that behind us."
WAtch the full interview with Kelechi Iheanacho on Sky Sports News HQ from 6am on Sunday. Watch Manchester City v Arsenal live on Super Sunday, 4pm, Sky Sports 1 HD.
