Tottenham's 4-0 victory over a Ludogorets side - whose preparation for the contest couldn't have been any worse - was as simple as they come.
With Tanguy Ndombele's marvellous resurgence continuing in a deeper role, Harry Winks bagging from 50-odd yards - it's Spurs' year, folks, book it - and the loveable Carlos Vinicius grabbing his maiden Spurs goals, Thursday night was certainly an uncharacteristically relaxing and enjoyable one for the Lilywhite faithful.
Even some of the kids got a go.
Dane Scarlett (aged 16 years & 247 days) has become the club’s youngest first-team player, surpassing the record of John Bostock who was aged 16 years & 295 days when he made his Tottenham debut in November 2008
— The Spurs Web ⚪️ (@thespursweb) November 26, 2020
pic.twitter.com/1M7zuCscr0
With the hosts cruising, Jack Clarke appeared for the second time in a Spurs shirt before a triple substitution with ten minutes to go saw Alfie Whiteman, Harvey White and 16-year-old Dane Scarlett enter the fray.
In that moment, Scarlett became the club's youngest-ever debutant following a swift rise through the youth ranks. He's a talent who rose to prominence after scoring four in the Under-18's 7-0 victory over Southampton last week.
Admittedly, it's unlikely for the teenager to become apart of Mourinho's first-team plans despite looking bright in his cameo appearance, but wouldn't it be nice to know a little bit more about Spurs' record-breaker anyway?
Let's take a look.
Long-time Lilywhite
Born in Hillingdon, Middlesex, Scarlett joined the club aged just six before progressing through the youth ranks.
The young striker's been capped by England at an Under-15 and Under-16 level and made his Spurs Under-18 debut at the beginning of last season.
Scarlett appeared four times for the Under-18s during the 2019/20 campaign and netted his first goal against Aston Villa before disaster struck.
Devastating Knee Injury
A year ago sustaining a season ending Knee injury. To making my @SpursOfficial debut, also becoming the youngest ever Spurs player is a dream come true for me and my family. Thanks to everyone that’s supported this far. It was a shame I had to make my debut without you Spurs fans pic.twitter.com/xquGq2ueAh
— Dane Scarlett (@DScarlett09) November 27, 2020
Following a bright start to his career at an Under-18 level, Scarlett's debut season was cut short a month after netting his first goal, following a serious knee injury against Chelsea.
“I got injured on 9 November but my operation was a year ago this week,” he told the official Spurs website after the Ludogorets game.
“My mum, dad, little sister, everybody who was around me supported me, and of course the staff here too, the medical staff… they all stuck with me, pushed me and made me stronger. It’s an amazing feeling to make my debut now – I’m very thankful.”
Fast Start to 2020/21
Scarlett's determination to return to full fitness as soon as possible was rewarded as he was given the opportunity to train with the first team in an albeit brief pre-season.
The 16-year-old appeared in friendly victories over Ipswich and Reading in the summer before starting the 2020/21 season with the Under-18s on fire.
Scarlett has ten goals in eight games thus far, with his senior debut arriving off the back of a four-goal haul in the 7-0 humiliation of Southampton last week. Three of his strikes against the Saints were headers as the striker proved a distinct beneficiary of fine deliveries from Romaine Mundle and Tarrelle Whittaker.
Boot Collector
Scarlett also revealed in the wake of his record-breaking appearance how he’s built a collection of his old football boots from important matches during his formative years.
“I’ve got some boots that I’ve kept where I’ve played well in them and thought ‘I want to keep these’. I’ve got some Nike T90s, grey and green, from the start when I was maybe six or seven years old.
"I’ve got quite a few pairs, about 15 or 16, but probably the boots I got injured in last year are the ones I look at most. Every time I see them I just remember what happened and it’s helped to push me on,” he added.
An Oblivious Jose Mourinho
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho revealed post-match that he had no idea that Scarlett would become Spurs' youngest ever player, saying: "When I played him I didn’t know he was the youngest one.
“He played a few minutes in some of our pre-season matches. Of course, he went back to his [Under-18] team. He trains with them," he added.
Mourinho then described the process which saw Scarlett called up to the first-team for Thursday's bout.
"When I felt there was space for another young player in the squad, I didn’t decide by myself, I asked my football director and I asked the academy director and they contacted all the coaches. ‘Who deserves?’
“They gave me his name and because I knew him already I thought if the opportunity would arise it would be a good chance for me and a good feeling for everyone in the academy.”
Source: 90min
