Debutant Rayhaan Tulloch encouraged by pathway for West Brom youngsters
Debutant Rayhaan Tulloch is encouraged by the trust head coach Darren Moore is putting in Albion’s youngsters.
The 18-year-old forward became the latest academy product to make his senior bow for the Baggies after coming off the bench in the goalless draw against Brighton in the FA Cup.
He was one of five players in Saturday’s team to come through the club’s academy system – following Sam Field, Rekeem Harper, Kyle Edwards and Jonathan Leko.
“They’re giving us a lot of opportunities and trusting us as a whole,” said Tulloch. “It gives us a lot of hope you know there’s a pathway here.”
It was a special moment for the England youth international, coming just six days after his 18th birthday.
“It was good to get on for the last ten,” he said. “The gaffer came up to me about 75 minutes in and said you might be coming on so just warm up and get ready.
“I was excited. I’ve been waiting a long time, but it felt the right time. The gaffer’s had trust in me to put me on and get a feel for it. It was a good experience overall.”
Tulloch has been at the club since he was eight years old.
He is a regular for England youth teams and scored twice in a 5-1 win over QPR in the FA Youth Cup earlier this month.
He was spotted by youth team scout Kevin Dove, the same man who spotted Sam Field when he was also eight.
The versatile forward signed his first professional deal with Albion last March, and is currently under contract until the summer of 2020.
And he was pleased for the opportunity to play senior football.
“It’s a lot different to my normal age-group games,” he said. “A lot quicker and a lot more physical. You’ve got to be sharper on the ball.
“It wasn’t expected at all. The night before the team travelled they said you’re going to be involved with the first team. I thought ‘oh okay, what do I do now?’
“We just wanted to show we’re a good side against good opposition and go and do our best.”
Tulloch was named as a substitute for Albion’s Premier League game against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium in December 2017 but this was the first time he had stepped onto the pitch.
Meanwhile, two of his peers from the under-23 side have headed out on loan.
Midfielder Sam Wilding, 18, has joined Leamington of the National League North, while defender Dan Meredith, 19, has linked up with Maidstone United one step higher in the National League.
