Ingram prepares to realise lifelong dream
8:00am Friday 22nd March 2013 in Latest Sport By Andy Carswell
Matt Ingram in action for Oxford City
A DREAM comes true for goalkeeper Matt Ingram tomorrow as he makes his Football League debut for his home town club.
With regular stopper Jordan Archer called up for international duty with Scotland U21s, High Wycombe-born Ingram was recalled from his loan at Oxford City to take his place between the sticks for Blues.
The former John Hampden School pupil said: "I'm really looking forward to it. I've been at the club since I was 12 so to finally get my first start is really something.
"It's a kid's dream to play professional football in the league. It's something I've always dreamed of.
"I'm sure on the day I'll get a few nerves - I wouldn't be human without any - but I'm looking forward to it."
The 19-year-old earned rave reviews during his spell at Oxford, winning the player of the month award in two successive months, and he said he's become a better player for the experience.
He said: "It went really well. I've got to thank Oxford and Mike Ford especially for having me.
"I think the whole of my game has improved since I've been there. You can do as much as you want on the training pitch but game experience is something that's invaluable. You've got to get it."
And he added he won't have any qualms about shouting at player/manager Gareth Ainsworth if he has to.
Ingram said: "On the pitch you've got to do a job. I will shout at him if he's not doing his job properly, but he's still the gaffer."
Ingram recently signed a new contract that will keep him at Adams Park until the summer of 2015, despite being kept down the pecking order by the arrival of Spurs loanee Archer.
But he said that experience has only increased his desire to play regular first team football next season.
He said: "Because Jordan's only a year older than me he's made the task of playing in the first team that more realistic.
"He's off on international duty, I wished him luck and he wished me luck."
Ainsworth said of his young goalkeeper: "He works and works - sometimes we have to tell him to go in and have a rest because he wants to improve and work hard.
"We'll be keeping him here and involving him round the first team at this late stage in the season and get him some experience, whether that be playing or just in the squad. It's vital for him now."
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