Subway Socceroos rising star Alex Robertson produced an impressive performance on his starting debut for Portsmouth on Wednesday morning (AEST).
The 20-year-old played 81 minutes as Pompey secured a 1-0 home win over Exeter City to climb into fourth place on the EFL League One ladder.
Robertson had made two substitute appearances prior to his maiden start in victories against Forrest Green in the EFL Cup and a league clash against Leyton Orient.
The attacking midfielder, on loan from Manchester City for the 2023/24 season, left the field to a standing ovation from the Fratton Park crowd.
"It was awesome, the fans were brilliant, the game worked out well, we got the three points," Robertson said in a post-match interview with the club's media.
"There's not much more I could've asked for, maybe a goal but there's always more games to get that."
Asked to assess his own performance, the two-time capped Socceroo was largely pleased but admitted he would have liked to have got on the scoresheet.
"It was good, I would've liked to have got the ball a bit more," he said.
"But that comes with settling in a little bit more and being in the game a bit more, but like you said there were a few occasions where I could've scored and I just have to tuck them away, but I was quite happy with my first performance."
Robertson said walking out of the tunnel and onto the pitch in front of an incredible Fratton Park atmosphere was something he had not experienced before and added his excitement made it difficult to sleep the night before.
"I was just really excited to get going and get into the game and just try do my best for the team and for the badge, and try and impress and excite fans," he continued.
"I was just really excited, even last night I couldn't sleep because of the excitement but really enjoyed it."
The south coast side take on 21st placed Cheltenham Town on Sunday at 12:00am (AEST).