Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot is delighted to finally be getting a chance to play in the Premier League as he deputises for the injured Tim Krul.
The 26-year-old, a 2011 arrival at St James' Park from Charlton, has been limited to cup and UEFA Europa League appearances over his first 18 months on Tyneside.
But he made his top-flight debut in the 4-2 win over Southampton at the weekend, filling in for first-choice keeper Krul as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Elliot conceded within three minutes as Morgan Schneiderlin netted an early opener but shrugged off the setback to help Alan Pardew's side to a welcome win.
"I've played a few games this year in Europe and the cups, which has been nice. But to play in the Premier League is the top one, the one you want to put against your name," he said in the Daily Express.
"If you'd told me six years ago that I would make my Premier League debut for Newcastle at St James', I wouldn't have believed you. It was a good day.
"I've finally got the opportunity and I want to make the most of it.
"I just wanted to show everyone what I could do. The gaffer said to me, 'Make sure you play your game and don't try and do anything you normally wouldn't'. It paid off."
Elliot has sympathy for Krul and says he enjoys training with the more experienced keeper, capped five times for the Holland national side.
"I'm gutted for Tim, he's been fantastic this year. That's the way it goes with goalkeeping," said the shot-stopper.
"Tim's one of the best keepers around at the moment, not just in England, but also in Europe because he's started playing for Holland too."
He added: "It's great coming to work with him because that's what I want to do - I want to be playing international football and in the Premier League. To train with someone who's experiencing that and going through it at the same age I am is great, we talk and share ideas.
"I'm genuinely gutted about his injury, but fingers crossed it's not too bad. I've never said I wanted Tim to get injured to get a game, but that's the way it's worked out.
"Tim called me on Sunday morning to wish me luck, and that's the measure of the man."
